The Verkhovna Rada adopted a law on the military ombudsman
According to the bill, the military ombudsman will monitor the observance of the rights of servicemen, reservists, conscripts during mobilization, members of volunteer formations of territorial communities in territorial defense or combat operations, as well as persons involved in the resistance movement in temporarily occupied territories, and law enforcement officers participating in combat operations.
The main task of the ombudsman is to identify violations of rights, clarify their causes, and propose ways to eliminate them. He has the right to issue conclusions and recommendations to commanders, military management bodies, and other government agencies, consider complaints, and conduct inspections. The ombudsman can request any necessary information, including restricted information, and does not disclose personal data of applicants without their consent.
On May 8, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, submitted this bill to the Verkhovna Rada, defining it as urgent.
According to the draft law, the head of state will appoint the military ombudsman and his deputies. An Office of the Military Ombudsman will also be established — an auxiliary body under the president to perform functions of civilian democratic control in the security and defense sector, as provided by the Law of Ukraine "On National Security".
Furthermore, the procedure for submitting and reviewing complaints from soldiers, conducting inspections in military units and management bodies in connection with violations of servicemen's rights, as well as the process of preparing conclusions and the interaction of the military ombudsman with other government bodies will be defined.
The law was passed in the first reading on June 3, 2025, after which it was refined.
"I thank the members of the Ukrainian Parliament for passing the law on the Military Ombudsman, initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky. We are creating a new strong institution to protect the rights of Ukrainian servicemen," wrote the Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal. "This is another step in implementing our shared key priority — ensuring all the needs of the Ukrainian soldier. This is a step towards justice, strengthening our army, and improving the country's defense capability."
According to him, the military ombudsman will work under the President of Ukraine and will implement democratic civilian control in the security and defense sector. In particular, he will accept complaints from servicemen, conduct inspections in military units and management institutions, generate reports, and interact with other government bodies.
"The Ministry of Defense will support the work of the Military Ombudsman to the maximum extent. We share common values, and our common goal is — a strong and free Ukraine," emphasized Denys Shmyhal.
