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Igor Klymenko

Igor Klymenko

1989–1994 – studied at Kharkiv Military University.
1998 - began working at the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a psychologist in Kharkiv.
2002 - participated in a peacekeeping operation in Kosovo (Yugoslavia).
2014 - participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation; completed a master's degree at Dnipropetrovsk University of Internal Affairs (law).
2019 - appointed Head of the National Police of Ukraine.
2023-01-18 - appointed Acting Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
7 February 2023 – approved by the Verkhovna Rada as Minister.

Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, appointed in February 2023.
A first-rank police general who rose from the rank of psychologist to head of the entire internal affairs system.

Position: Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine since 7 February 2023 (acting minister since 18 January 2023).

Official profiles/sources:

Official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs: mvs.gov.ua
Facebook: facebook.com/iklymenko.fb
Telegram: t.me/Klymenko_MVS

Ihor Klymenko was born on 25 October 1972 in Kyiv. After serving in the missile forces (1994–1997), he joined the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a psychologist. For 25 years, he worked in personnel and psychological departments, participated in a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, and was involved in police reform.

In 2019, he became head of the National Police of Ukraine, where he focused on digitising services and combating organised crime. After the start of the full-scale invasion, the units under his command joined in the defence of cities and the recording of Russian war crimes.

Impact

As Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko heads the country's largest militarised agency, which includes the National Police, the National Guard, the State Border Service and the State Emergency Service.

Key decisions and actions:

"Assault Guard": initiated the creation of assault brigades within the Ministry of Internal Affairs to de-occupy territories.
Recording war crimes: under his leadership, the largest database of crimes committed by the aggressor (over 100,000 cases) was created.
Safety of the educational environment: introduced the "Educational Security Service" project (police officers in schools).
Unified weapons registry: launched the long-awaited system for controlling the circulation of weapons in Ukraine.

Positions

War/security:

full integration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs units into the Defence Forces, strict control over the circulation of illegal weapons.

Digitalisation:

maximum transfer of Ministry of Internal Affairs services to digital format.

FAQ

What are its powers?

Directs and coordinates the activities of law enforcement agencies that ensure public order, border security, and emergency response.

Who is his wife and children?

His wife is Oksana Klymenko. The couple has a son, Stanislav, who, according to the minister, has been mobilised into the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

What is his rank?

First rank police general (the highest special rank in the police force).

What is his academic degree?

Doctor of Psychological Sciences. Author of a number of scientific works on management psychology and professional training of law enforcement officers.