The military chaplaincy service is formed as a separate structure within the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and other legal military formations, as well as the State Border Guard Service, the type of which depends on the scope, nature, and complexity of measures aimed to meet spiritual and religious needs of those serving at the headquarters, groupings, military units, military educational institutions, and other military institutions and organizations. In a military unit at the level of a separate battalion, the functions of the Military Chaplaincy Service may be performed by one military chaplain.

Relevant military chaplaincy services shall report directly to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, the heads of other military formations formed in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, and the Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. The personnel cap in the Military Chaplaincy Service has been set at no lower than 0.15% of the total number of troops in all respective forces.

To qualify for a position of a military chaplain, a candidate must be a citizen of Ukraine who is an operating clergyman with a religious organization registered in Ukraine and has received a mandate from the governing center (department) of the relevant religious organization to perform military chaplaincy services. A mandatory requirement is a candidate’s higher theological education (the norm comes into force 5 years after the law enters into force). If a citizen has been banned or restricted access to military units, they shall not be appointed military chaplains, legislation says. All personal data obtained by chaplains during their service is deemed confidential. (Quelle: www.risu.au, 30. November 2021)