Violation of military rights: where and with what complaints can one turn to

Since January of this year, a single electronic address for appeals to the military ombudsman has been launched in Ukraine. Servicemen and their family members can report human rights violations. UNN tells where to write and what complaints will be accepted.

Where servicemen should apply in case of human rights violations

Since October 2025, Olga Reshetylova (Kobylynska) has held the position of military ombudsman.

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Since January of this year, a single electronic address for appeals to the military ombudsman has been introduced in Ukraine. It is intended to address issues related to military service.

A single email address for appeals to the Military Ombudsman has been launched in Ukraine06.01.26, 10:26 • 5032 views

The following can appeal to the military ombudsman with a complaint: 

• servicemen;
• reservists and conscripts during training camps;
• members of volunteer formations of territorial communities;
• persons who voluntarily participate in the resistance movement in temporarily occupied territories;
• personnel of law enforcement agencies involved in direct participation in hostilities;
• representatives by proxy or legal representatives of persons covered by the law. 

Complaints from servicemen: how to submit them correctly

Currently, a complaint can only be submitted by email to [email protected] or via the form on the website https://milomb.gov.ua/kontakty. There is no possibility to submit complaints by fax or phone yet. A hotline and the possibility to submit a complaint via the "Army+" application will be launched later.

The complaint must contain:

• surname, first name, patronymic;
• place of residence and/or email address and/or information about other technical means of electronic communication for communication with the complainant;
• the essence and content of the complaint;
• if the complaint is submitted by a representative of the complainant - documents confirming the authority to represent the interests of the person;
• date of filing the complaint and signature.

The use of a qualified electronic signature when submitting a complaint is not required.

Two or more complaints submitted on the same issue are considered together.

The period for considering a complaint cannot exceed ten working days from the date of its receipt. However, a complaint may be considered within three days if the content of the complaint gives grounds to suspect potential harm to the life and health of the complainant. 

If, during the consideration of a complaint, signs of a criminal offense are found, the relevant law enforcement agencies are immediately notified, and if facts of corruption or corruption-related offenses are found, the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption is also notified.

Anonymous complaints are not considered, except in cases where an anonymous complaint concerns a specific violation and contains factual data that can be verified.

Based on the results of the complaint consideration, one of the following decisions is made: 

• appointment of an inspection;
• referral of complaint materials for consideration by the appropriate authority;
• return of the complaint if it does not fall within the powers of the Ombudsman's Office.

The complainant is notified of the decision no later than three working days. The decision can be appealed. 

Inspections are conducted by decision of the military ombudsman or one of his deputies, the procedure for which is approved by the ombudsman. 

The grounds for appointing inspections are data indicating violations of the rights of military personnel, reservists, conscripts, and police officers, obtained from any sources, including in an appeal/request from a people's deputy, published in the media, etc. 

The decision on the appointment of an inspection specifies: 

• the subject and object of the inspection;
• the grounds for appointing the inspection;
• the start date of the inspection.

The period for conducting an inspection cannot exceed 30 working days, but it can be extended for the same period if there are reasonable grounds. 

During the inspection, the persons involved in it have the right to: 

• interview and obtain information against whom the inspection is being conducted;
• request and obtain information and documents related to the subject of the inspection, make (obtain) necessary copies of such documents;
• conduct an inspection of the area, objects, premises, items, etc., related to the subject of the inspection.

Based on the results of the inspection, a conclusion is drawn, which states: 

• information about the absence or presence of violations of the rights of military personnel, reservists, conscripts, and police officers;
• the essence of the violation;

• the commander, military command body, state authority, its official, whose actions and/or decisions led to the violation of rights;
• the causes and conditions that led to the violation of rights.

In particular, based on the results of the inspection, the issue of bringing the commander to disciplinary responsibility may be considered.

Protection of servicemen's rights: what guarantees are provided by law

According to the law "On Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Their Families", servicemen have the following rights: 

Socio-economic:

• the right to adequate material, monetary, and other types of support in an amount corresponding to the conditions of military service, including the right to receive relocation assistance and daily allowances when moving to a new place of service;
• the right to social and professional adaptation;
• the right to health care, medical and socio-psychological assistance;
• the right to housing;
• the right to free travel;
• the right to exemption from penalties and fines for non-fulfillment of obligations;
• sanatorium-resort treatment;
• the right to free legal aid;
• the right to pension provision;
• the right of servicemen discharged from service to receive a one-time monetary allowance;
• the right to receive monetary assistance for health improvement and state assistance to families with children;
• the right to compensation for damages caused;
• the right to appeal unlawful decisions and actions;
• the right to obtain the status of a combatant;
• the right to childcare. 

Political:

• the right to participate in elections and referendums;
• the right to create their public associations in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine. 

Cultural:

• freedom of scientific, technical, and artistic creativity;
• the right to education (including postgraduate education) in military educational institutions, relevant training, retraining, and advanced training units for servicemen. 

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Labor:

• the right to work and equal rights in the socio-economic sphere;
• restrictions on the dismissal of servicemen;
• reinstatement of servicemen in military service (position);
• the right to employment of servicemen after discharge from military service;
• the right to early discharge from military service;
• the preferential right to conclude a contract for military service;
• the right to determine the duration of working hours and rest time;
• the right to leave. 

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Religious: the right to freedom of worldview and religion.