Zelenskyy officially appoints Olha Reshetylova as military commissioner

Zelenskyy signed a decree naming Reshetylova as military ombudswoman and another relieving her of her prior role as the president’s representative for protecting the rights of service members and their families.

"This is about real protection of our warriors’ rights. It’s vital that this is felt at all levels in the Defense Forces: we do what strengthens the army and what strengthens the soldiers in our army," Zelenskyy said.

Work is underway to establish the Office of the Military Ombudsperson, with Zelenskyy signing a decree on September 19 to create it and approving its framework. Reshetylova said the priority is launching the office while maintaining momentum in addressing service members’ complaints.

"The main priority now is to launch the Office of the Military Ombudsperson. It’s also critical not to lose momentum in processing and responding to service members’ appeals and complaints. Both as the president’s representative and as the military ombudswoman, I will work to ensure soldiers feel protected and to restore justice for them," she said.

The office will serve as a permanent advisory body under the president, ensuring civilian oversight of rights for all Defense Forces members, including active military, territorial defense volunteers, reservists in training, resistance movement participants in occupied territories and law enforcement officers engaged in combat.

The military commissioner will address service-related issues, handle complaints, initiate inspections and develop solutions.