The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valerii Zaluzhny, indicated the number of dead Ukrainian soldiers.

According to him, almost 9 000 Ukrainian soldiers have already deceased.

Zaluzhny said this during the “Defenders. Roll call” forum.

“Not only military personnel and not only those who took up arms participate in this war, but also our little children, who are not guilty of anything at all, except that they were born right here and right at this time. They really do not understand what is happening, but they definitely need protection near Soledar, Bakhmut, Velyka Novosilka, and here, because their father went to the front and may be one of the almost 9 thousand heroes who died,” noted Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

He also emphasized the need to protect war veterans, their families, and the families of those who perished.

Valerii Zaluzhny emphasized that currently one million soldiers are involved in the ranks of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

“Our women, mothers who are begging for help under the rubble of their own home, which was hit by a Russian missile, are also participants in the war. They also need care and help, most likely they could be helped by their son, husband, or daughter. But they are there, as part of one million with weapons in their hands, protecting the country from the horde, so that Bucha and Gostomel never happen again in their lives. We also have to take care of these people,” the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

As previously reported, the Ukrainian Veterans Fund conducted a survey on the perception of the image of veterans in society.

According to the research, 46% of respondents associate veterans as participants in anti-terrorist operations (ATO). However, young people more often support the stereotype that a “veteran” is a participant in the Second World War.

In order to change the perception of veterans, the information campaign “I am a veteran” was launched. It was attended by young men and women who participated in ATO and Joint Forces Operations in the period from 2014 to 2022. Now they have taken up arms again and gone to defend Ukraine.

Experts predict that after the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war, there will be 5 million veterans in Ukraine.

Changes to the legislation have already begun to be worked out in order to reformat aid from benefit-oriented measures to tools for implementation and adaptation in civilian life.