Zelensky signs law on creation of military memorial cemeteries

Memorial cemetery. Photo: open sources

President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a law regulating the establishment and operation of military memorial cemeteries. The document sets out rules for the honorary burial of fallen servicemen and introduces the necessary amendments to the Land Code of Ukraine.

The law permits the use of state-owned land for the National Military Memorial Cemetery and its regional branches. At the same time, authorities are prohibited from changing the designated purpose of protected areas, residential zones, and water fund territories.

The cemeteries will serve as burial sites for members of the security and defense forces, police officers, combat veterans, and persons disabled as a result of war.

Lawmakers also introduced a restriction: honorary burial will not be granted to persons with unexpunged convictions for intentional crimes. All military memorial complexes will remain exclusively state-owned and may not be privatized or leased.

The costs of burial for the main categories of defenders will be covered by the state budget. The law also introduces mandatory electronic registration for every burial.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Zelensky imposed sanctions against nine representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.

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