Full-Scope Legal Support for “Breaking the Chains” NGO in Ukraine

Client’s Situation

“Breaking the Chains” due to their volunteer activities need to be present in Ukraine and required urgent legal structuring to:

• Obtain D-10 volunteer visas and residence permits for international staff
• Legally import animal-related humanitarian cargo
• Establish mutually beneficial contracts with local vendors and clinics
• Remain compliant with Ukrainian laws governing non-profit and charitable entities
• Ensure legal protections for operations near or inside military zones

Because of the sensitivity and scale of their mission, legal exposure had to be minimized while ensuring continuity of their humanitarian work.

Problem

Operating as a foreign NGO during wartime exposed the client to significant legal challenges:

1. Immigration Compliance for Volunteers Foreign personnel required permits in order to live and work in Ukraine. The D-10 visa, designed for volunteer activities, required timely and compliant filings under Ukrainian immigration law.

2. Humanitarian Aid Import Procedures Shipments of veterinary medicine, equipment, and food had to be cleared through customs. These items were subject to strict classifications and documentation, where mistakes could cause serious delays or fines.

3. Contractual Protection in Local Partnerships The organization worked with Ukrainian veterinary clinics, shelters, and transport companies. Without enforceable contracts, risks included non-performance, liability claims, and difficulty in conflict resolution.

4. Statutory NGO and Charity Compliance Ukrainian law imposes reporting, tax, and governance obligations on NGOs. Noncompliance could lead to suspension or deregistration, risking funding and operational status.

5. Legal Risk in Conflict Areas Operations near active military zones created added legal complexity, including curfew compliance, restrictions on movement, and legal responsibilities tied to emergency regulations.

Our Approach

Analysis

Intermarium implemented a legal framework to address each of these risks, aligning the client’s operations with Ukrainian law while enabling flexible fieldwork.

Strategy

Immigration & Volunteer Residency

• Compiled full application packages for D-10 volunteer visas
• Coordinated with Ukrainian consulates abroad for quick processing
• Submitted residency applications linked to NGO sponsorship
• Advised on the legal boundaries of activity under volunteer status
• Managed visa renewals and compliance throughout the client’s stay

Humanitarian Aid Clearance

• Reviewed cargo lists to ensure proper legal classification
• Filed required by the authorities documentation for customs-free import of items identified as humanitarian aid
• Communicated with customs authorities to prevent or resolve hold-ups
• Produced legal opinions confirming the NGO’s humanitarian status

Contract Drafting and Enforcement

• Drafted clear, locally compliant contracts with veterinary service providers, transport companies, and supply vendors
• Incorporated protections around delivery obligations, liability, termination, and dispute resolution
• Ensured that donor terms aligned with local laws and the NGO’s internal structure
• Provided repeat-use templates for common transactions to improve speed and consistency

NGO Legal Compliance and Governance

• Guided the organization through Ukraine’s legal and regulatory framework for charities
• Reviewed bylaws, tax filings, and donor reporting obligations
• Advised on NGO structure, proper volunteer agreements, and financial controls
• Ensured all legal filings were submitted on time and in needed form

Conflict Zone Legal Risk Management

• Conducted regional legal assessments for locations where operations were planned
• Advised on applicable laws tied to martial law, including curfew regulations and movement restrictions
• Recommended internal compliance procedures to protect foreign volunteers and equipment
• Updated leadership on emergency rule changes affecting security and legal exposure

Implementation

Each strategy was executed with ongoing communication between Intermarium and the client’s operations, ensuring timely legal actions and immediate response to evolving risks.

Result

Through comprehensive legal coordination, Intermarium delivered the following outcomes:

• D-10 visas and residence permits were granted without delays, securing the presence of foreign staff
• Customs approvals were obtained quickly, enabling efficient aid delivery
• Partner agreements were fully compliant and protected the organization’s interests
• Regulatory filings were made accurately and on time, keeping the NGO fully compliant
• Operations in conflict zones were carried out safely and within legal limits

The result was a legally stable, fully functional humanitarian operation capable of sustaining complex missions under extreme conditions.

Expert Commentary

“In war zones, the legal side of humanitarian work is often overlooked—but it’s essential. Our goal was to insulate ‘Breaking the Chains’ from legal disruption so they could stay focused on saving lives and serving communities.” — Lead Counsel, Intermarium Law Firm

Conclusions

This case shows how legal support is critical—not optional—for NGOs operating in volatile environments. In Ukraine, especially under martial law, proper legal foundations allow organizations to work safely, ethically, and sustainably.

Key lessons for NGOs:

• Volunteer activities must be based on recognized visa and residence frameworks
• Importing humanitarian aid requires customs expertise and legal support
• Enforceable contracts are essential when dealing with multiple vendors and stakeholders
• NGOs must comply with Ukrainian charity law to retain legal standing and credibility
• Conflict zones demand legal planning that accounts for both security and regulation

By partnering with Intermarium, “Breaking the Chains” transformed a high-risk operational environment into a fully legal and scalable platform for humanitarian success.

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Running an NGO or humanitarian mission in Ukraine? Intermarium Law Firm can help secure your legal status, protect your team, and ensure your aid reaches those who need it most.

Contact us today to build a legal foundation for your mission that’s as strong as your purpose.