On March 15, the Verkhovna Rada passed the law № 7151 "On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Citizens and the Legal Regime in the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine" in the Territories Temporarily Occupied by the Russian Federation Since the War during an extraordinary session. 341 People's Deputies voted for the law.
The document specifies the procedure for determining the categories of persons recognized as war veterans and family members of killed defenders of Ukraine. After the signing of the law, territorial defense fighters will be recognized as participants in hostilities, as well as persons with disabilities as a result of the war. Social protection will be introduced for a new category of persons - families of deceased defenders of Ukraine. "Currently, territorial defense fighters of the AFU are defending our country from the occupier on a level with the mobilized soldiers, sacrificing their own lives and health." The system of territorial defense has already shown its effectiveness. Men and women not only carry out the tasks of ensuring order in their localities but also fight with the occupiers, bringing our victory closer every day. We are grateful to all our defenders, that is why we consider it necessary to recognize them as participants of military actions and provide them with a number of guarantees provided by the Ukrainian legislation," Olena Shulyak, head of the party "Servants of the People" quotes on the party website. Shulyak also recalled that during the 10 days since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion, more than 100,000 Ukrainians joined the territorial defense.