Zelensky Announces His Pick for Ukrainian Military Ombudsperson

Ukraine‘s President Zelenksy Appoints Powerful Candidate as Military Ombudsperson

President Volodymyr Zelenksy has selected a robust candidate to serve as Ukraine’s military ombudsman, a role aimed at safeguarding the rights of service members and their families. The president revealed this news in his evening address, with the official decree set to be published on Monday, December 30.

"Today, I’ve finalized the first step – a decree appointing the presidential commissioner for the protection of the rights of military personnel and their families," said Zelenksy. "I’ve chosen a strong candidate for the role, and the decree will be made public tomorrow."

The president emphasized the importance of this appointment, noting that it was a long-awaited request from the military and a necessary measure to satisfy their legal needs. He also stressed the need for a comprehensive legal framework to support the ombudsman’s role. Zelensky plans to collaborate with human rights organizations, the Ministry of Defense, and other stakeholders to draft a robust law and regulations governing the military ombudsperson’s duties and powers.

"I urge the Verkhovnarada and the government to support these innovations promptly," said Zelenksy. "We must commence the military ombudsperson’s activities without delay."

The creation of the military ombudsman’s position comes after extensive discussions with the defense minister, military leadership, and civil society representatives. It follows the January 2022 introduction of a similar role in civilian law enforcement, highlighting the government’s commitment to improving legal protections for all service personnel.

Last year, over 1900 complaints from military personnel were submitted to the Verkhovna Rada’s Commissioner for Human Rights, demonstrating the urgent need for dedicated legal support within the armed forces.

With this move, Ukraine’s government reaffirms its dedication to upholding the rights of its military personnel, bridging the gap between their legal needs and the support they receive.