Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Головнокомандувач Збройних сил України, romanizedHolovnokomanduvach Zbroinykh syl Ukrayiny) is the professional head of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The position was created by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 28 March 2020, before which the Chief of the General Staff was the commander-in-chief.[1]

Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces of Ukraine
Головнокомандувач Збройних сил України (Ukrainian)
Photo of the current Commander-in-Chief
Incumbent
General Oleksandr Syrskyi
since 8 February 2024
Ministry of Defence
AbbreviationHZSU
Member ofNational Security and Defense Council
Reports toMinister of Defence
NominatorMinister of Defence
AppointerPresident of Ukraine
PrecursorChief of the General Staff
Formation28 March 2020; 4 years ago (2020-03-28)
First holderRuslan Khomchak
DeputyDeputy commander-in-chief
WebsiteOfficial website

Role

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The Commander-in-Chief for Armed Forces of Ukraine directs the Armed Forces of Ukraine, monitors the state of the army with military equipment, weapons, and other resources, reports to the President and the Minister of Defense on achieving military-strategic goals in defense.

The Law of Ukraine "On the Armed Forces of Ukraine" also stipulates that direct military leadership is an activity aimed at implementing measures for the development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, their technical equipment, training, and comprehensive support, and determining the basis of their application and management.[2]

Until 27 March 2020, in accordance with Art. 8 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Armed Forces of Ukraine", the Chief of the General Staff was the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

On 5 March 2022, then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, was promoted to the rank of General by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[3]

Commander-in-chief

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No. Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office Defence branch Ref.
1Khomchak, RuslanColonel general
Ruslan Khomchak
(born 1967)
28 March 202027 July 20211 year, 121 days  Ukrainian Ground Forces[4]
2Zaluzhnyi, ValeriiGeneral
Valerii Zaluzhnyi
(born 1973)
27 July 20218 February 20242 years, 196 days  Ukrainian Ground Forces[4][5][6]
3Syrskyi, OleksandrGeneral
Oleksandr Syrskyi
(born 1965)
8 February 2024Incumbent284 days  Ukrainian Ground Forces[7]

Deputy commander-in-chief

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No. Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office Defence branch Ref.
1Moisiuk, YevhenLieutenant general
Yevhen Moisiuk
(born 1979)
29 July 2021Incumbent3 years, 112 days  Ukrainian Air Assault Forces[8]

References

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  1. ^ Zelensky appoints Khomchak Chief Commander of Armed Forces, Korniychuk Chief of General Staff, Interfax-Ukraine (28 March 2020)
  2. ^ Закон України «Про Збройні Сили України» на сайті Верховної Ради України
  3. ^ "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №108/2022".
  4. ^ a b Nikiforov, Serhiy (27 July 2021). "Valeriy Zaluzhny appointed as Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces instead of Khomchak – Zelensky's press secretary" (Press release). Interfax-Ukraine.
  5. ^ Shramovich, Vyacheslav (27 July 2021). "Генерал Валерій Залужний. Що відомо про нового головнокомандувача ЗСУ" [General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. What is known about the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces]. BBC News Україна (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Хомчак іде з посади. Призначено нового головнокомандувача – ОП". Українська правда (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  7. ^ "Five facts about Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's new army chief". Reuters. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Yevhen Moisiuk appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief". Novynarnia (in Ukrainian). 29 July 2021. Retrieved 2022-09-12.