Family Ordered to Repay $400,000 'Death' Compensation After Soldier's Return from Captivity.

The Case of Nazar Deletskyi

According to TSN.ua: During a session of the Lviv Regional Council on February 10, it was announced that the family of soldier Nazar Deletskyi from the 24th Brigade must return a compensation payment made for his death. This demand comes despite the fact that Deletskyi has recently returned alive from Russian captivity. This situation highlights the complex legal and emotional challenges Ukrainian families face during the ongoing war.

Nazar Deletskyi was officially buried in 2023. His family received a one-time payment of 15 million hryvnias (approximately $400,000) in compensation for his death as a serviceman. He had been considered missing since May 2022, and local authorities reported his death in September 2022. A DNA test had confirmed the death with a 99.9% probability, which formed the legal basis for the compensation payout.

Reactions and Emotional Toll

Deletskyi returned home as part of a prisoner exchange on February 5. Commenting on the situation, Taras Podvirnyi stated:

“There is a legal requirement for the family to return the funds the state paid as a one-time financial assistance for the soldier's death.” — Taras Podvirnyi

He added that “for the family, the greatest happiness is that the soldier returned home, not this money paid to them by the state.”

Natalia Deletska, Nazar's mother, shared her memory of his return: “'Your son is in captivity.' It was already late, around 11 pm. I said: 'Nazar!' And he replied: 'Your son is in captivity. I am the one who took him captive.'” This story underscores not only the emotional aspect of his return but also the legal consequences families of servicemen now confront.

Thus, the case of Nazar Deletskyi reveals the complexity of the legal and moral issues arising during war and calls into question compensation policies in instances where soldiers are taken prisoner. It illustrates the numerous challenges faced by military families, particularly regarding death benefits. When servicemen presumed dead are later found alive, existing legal frameworks can prove inadequate for responding to changed circumstances. This creates additional stress for families already enduring immense hardship and points to a need for reviewing compensation policies in the context of modern warfare.