As of June 12, more than six million Ukrainians are living in areas near the front lines of the ongoing conflict, according to Kirilo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian President’s Office. The conditions in these frontline territories starkly contrast with those in the deeper rear regions of the country.
Budanov made these remarks during a coordination meeting that included government representatives, relevant agencies, and members of parliament, chaired by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. The discussions focused on the critical support needed for these frontline areas.
According to Budanov, over six million citizens are at constant risk, living and working in communities that frequently experience shelling and infrastructure damage. He emphasized that the situation in these regions requires more than temporary solutions.
“The situation in frontline territories is fundamentally different from that in the deeper rear, so temporary solutions no longer suffice,” he stated.
Key issues facing these areas include the protection of energy infrastructure, local budget deficits, disparities in social payments for internally displaced persons, and a lack of adequate safety guarantees for workers in critical infrastructure sectors.
In response to these challenges, the government has initiated the formation of an interagency working group tasked with developing a comprehensive law that would establish a special legal status for frontline territories. This legislation aims to outline the operational specifics of regions under constant threat of hostilities and ensure systematic state support.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has left over six million people living in frontline regions, facing unique challenges compared to those in safer areas. The government is working on legislation to provide targeted support and address the pressing issues these communities encounter.