Verkhovna Rada grants combatant status to sailors, pilots
Ukrinform
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has approved a law introducing amendments to Article 6 of the law of Ukraine on the status of war veterans, guarantees of their social protection (concerning ensuring the rights of the military personnel of the Navy and Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to obtain the combatant status).
A total of 317 lawmakers voted for the law at a parliament meeting on Friday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
The law grants the combatant status to crewmembers of ships, boats, support vessels, aircraft and helicopters, other persons who, while on board the ships, boats, support vessels, aircraft and helicopters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine, defended the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The law comes into force on January 1, 2020.
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