How do Ukrainians perceive the challenges that veterans face when returning to civilian life? What forms of support do they consider most important?

The sociological company Rating Group and the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) in Ukraine explored this as part of the nationwide survey “Trust, Reforms, and EU Integration: What Ukrainians Think in 2025.”

Veterans’ challenges

• The biggest challenges that veterans face when returning to civilian life, according to respondents, are most often related to health issues: post-traumatic stress and stress disorders (63%), disability (54%), and health problems in general (51%). In addition, 40% mention alcoholism and drug addiction.
• Lack of employment is noted by 43%.
• While only 12% point to the lack of access to education and training.

Veterans’ support

• The majority of Ukrainians (62%) consider rehabilitation to be the most important form of support.
• This is followed by employment opportunities (47%) and access to medical care (43%).
• Another 27% highlighted support from veterans’ communities, while 6% mentioned education and training.

Rating Group is one of the largest research institutions in Ukraine, operating on the market since 2008. The company is registered in Ukraine and has extensive experience in conducting sociological surveys both in Ukraine and abroad. The Group includes: Rating Group Ukraine, the research laboratory Rating Lab, the platform Rating Online, and Rating Call Center.