Problems of veterans of anti-terrorist operation in the east of Ukraine

Abstract

The article presents the results of actual problems of anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine (ATO) veterans research. The survey was conducted in April - May 2016 by faculty of Sociology at Taras Shevchenko national university of Kyiv, on the initiative of the War Veterans and ATO members Foundation. In this study special attention was paid to the issues of health, employment, social and legal support of the veterans: the level of their knowledge and experience of using government programs and benefits in particular. The main problems that ATO veterans have are: financial difficulties, lack of homes, violation of their rights for social security, poor government policies, problems with their health and bureaucracy of government agencies at benefits registration. The veterans’ employment was also characterized. The objective and subjective factors that influence the employment of veterans after returning from the combat zone and the reasons of their unemployment were identified. Comprehensive study of ATO veterans’ social adaptation, their social and psychological well-being, an impact of their participation in the ATO on themselves and society - can be the ways of future research.