Who is recognised as a “Participant in Hostilities” (PiH)?

A participant in hostilities is a person who directly carried out combat missions defending Ukraine as part of military units or formations. The category initially covered veterans of past wars but has been broadened to include all defenders involved in the Anti Terrorist Operation (ATO), Joint Forces Operation (JFO) and the full scale invasion since 2022. This status applies to members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard, Security Service, intelligence units, State Border Guard Service, Special Transport Service, law enforcement agencies, reservists, officialy enlisted members and volunteers of the Territorial Defence Forces etc.