SOCIOHUMANITARIAN PROBLEMS OF VETERANS OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR IN THE MASS MEDIA SPACE OF UKRAINE (2014–2022)

The article revealed the characteristics and assessments of the socio-humanitarian problems of the veterans of the Anti-Terrorist Operation and the Operation of the Allied Forces in the Ukrainian mass media space in 2014–2022. Several discourses were formed in the Ukrainian mass media space , related to ATO veterans, namely: legal status; social protection; reintegration into everyday civilian life; persecution and deviations of veterans. The study established that Ukrainian mass media coverage of the legal situation of ATO/OOS veterans focused on the analysis of Ukraine’s legislation regarding the status of combatants, state policy on the establishment of institutions and services to support veterans, and the approval of government programs targeting the rehabilitation and reintegration of war veterans. Social protection of ATO/OOS veterans, particularly financial payments, material support (including solutions to housing issues), and physical and psychological rehabilitation, garnered the most attention. Topics such as benefits for veterans, state financial assistance, prosthetics for the wounded, and the provision of housing and land plots were frequently discussed. The analysis also noted that a significant portion of media coverage highlighted the active involvement of civil society in supporting ATO/OOS veterans and their families. One of the key topics actively discussed in the Ukrainian media was the psychological adaptation of veterans. Another significant focus of media discourse was the veterans' successful reintegration into civilian life, particularly through sports, art, entrepreneurship, and other endeavors. At the same time, the media also covered instances of deviant or antisocial behavior among some ATO/OOS veterans, reporting on cases involving fights, the use of weapons for intimidation, and other incidents. However, the media also highlighted the many examples of social and political activism demonstrated by war veterans. Keywords: mass media space, veterans of ATO/OOS, Russian-Ukrainian war, socio-humanitarian issues