The Mayor of Odesa, Hennadiy Trukhanov, held a meeting with representatives of the independent trade union of Ukraine's defenders «Solidarity of the Unconquered» Vadym Shipulin and Maksym Zhivanov.

Participants included the head of the «Veteran Hub» Service Office, Volodymyr Yermakov, city council deputies Serhiy Kotsyuba and Valeriy Silin, and the head of the NGO «Barrier-Free», advisor to the mayor Olexiy Morozov.

The agenda focused on coordinating actions for veteran support, rehabilitation programs, issues of accessibility, and organizing events for Defender's Day, celebrated annually on October 1.

«We must not only remember our defenders but also create conditions for their dignified living, rehabilitation, and development on a daily basis. This is our direct obligation», emphasized Hennadiy Trukhanov.

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•  Odesa has a functioning «Veteran Hub» Service Office that provides psychological and legal assistance, supports employment, and aids in veteran entrepreneurship and social adaptation.
•  A Barrier-Free Council operates to coordinate the implementation of inclusive solutions in urban spaces, transportation, digital services, and administrative processes. 
•  The city implements programs for targeted material assistance, support for veterans, and families of fallen or missing servicemen, and provides veterans with free medications as per current legislation.
•  Veterans have priority access to medical services, rehabilitation, e-prescriptions, and examinations under municipal and state programs.
•  Odesa actively collaborates with veteran organizations, expands the network of service points in the city, and engages specialists to work with veterans.

Among the pressing challenges are the need to expand rehabilitation programs, improve access to medical services, and strengthen social integration.