The Wounded Military’s Path: What are the barriers and needs faced by wounded soldiers?

Together with our colleagues from Pryncyp NGO and Gradus Research company, we analyzed all stages of the wounded’s journey from evacuation to return to service or discharge.

Our respondents were both military personnel and representatives of military units and medical institutions. Here are the key insights we found:

• The most difficult for wounded soldiers is the level of military medical commissions: 68% of those who have encountered this stage said it was challenging.
• 45% of the wounded servicemen and women report no payments, and another 32% report delays in their treatment.
• 68% indicated that they were treated at their own expense or with family money, while 67% received treatment at the expense of the state, and 42% used both sources.
• A smaller share of wounded military defended their rights. Thus, 57% did not appeal decisions with which they disagreed. Half of the respondents do not believe that complaints will lead to improvements, and 36% of respondents needed legal assistance, which they cannot afford.
• Currently, the surveyed wounded military personnel feel the greatest need for medical care (60%), legal assistance (58%), and assistance with information/explanations (52%).