REUTERS
The status of participant in the Anti-Terrorist Operation has been granted to nearly 20,500 soldiers of the Ukrainian armed forces, the press secretary of the Ministry of Defense Viktoria Kushnir said on Friday, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
"The Ministry of Defense continues to work to strengthen the social protection of servicemen and their families," she said.
"As of today, the status of participant of the ATO has been granted to nearly 20,500 servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces," Kushnir said.
The status of ATO participant grants soldiers and their families entitlements to a range of state benefits.