The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Головнокомандувач Збройних сил України, romanized: Holovnokomanduvach 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) | |
| Ministry of Defence | |
| Abbreviation | HZSU |
| Member of | National Security and Defense Council |
| Reports to | Minister of Defence |
| Nominator | Minister of Defence |
| Appointer | President of Ukraine |
| Precursor | Chief of the General Staff |
| Formation | 28 March 2020 |
| First holder | Ruslan Khomchak |
| Deputy | Deputy commander-in-chief |
| Website | Official website |
Role
The Commander-in-Chief of the 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
| No. | Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colonel general Ruslan Khomchak (born 1967) | 28 March 2020 | 27 July 2021 | 1 year, 121 days |  Ukrainian Ground Forces | [4] | |
| 2 | General Valerii Zaluzhnyi (born 1973) | 27 July 2021 | 8 February 2024 | 2 years, 196 days | Ukrainian Ground Forces | [4][5][6] | |
| 3 | Colonel general Oleksandr Syrskyi (born 1965) | 8 February 2024 | Incumbent | 81 days | Ukrainian Ground Forces | [7] |
Deputy commander-in-chief
| No. | Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lieutenant general Yevhen Moisiuk (born 1979) | 29 July 2021 | Incumbent | 2 years, 275 days |  Ukrainian Air Assault Forces | [8] |
