The Ministry of Defense has new deputies: human rights activist Lyubov Galan will be responsible for personnel policy, and Serhiy Boev will be responsible for European integration.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has appointed new deputy ministers of defense. The government made the relevant personnel decisions at a meeting, as reported by the representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnychuk.

Thus, the position of deputy minister of defense was appointed to the position of human rights activist, co-founder of the public organization “Principle” Lyubov Galan. The position of deputy minister of defense for European integration was taken by Serhiy Boev.

Acting Minister of Defense Yevhen Khmara emphasized that the renewal of the leadership team is aimed at making the system of the Ministry of Defense more effective, operational and focused on the needs of the Ukrainian military.

“Our goal is to make the system of the Ministry of Defense faster and closer to the needs of the Defense Forces,” Khmara noted.

Human capital and protection of the military

In the Ministry of Defense, Lyubov Galan will be responsible for the development and preservation of human capital. Her competence will include issues of staffing, building a transparent system of career growth for military personnel, social protection of military personnel and their family members, personnel training, medical support, as well as improving the regulatory framework that defines the rights and obligations of military personnel.

According to Yevhen Khmara, Lyubov Galan’s many years of experience in the field of protecting the rights of military personnel should become the basis for systemic changes in the department.

“Lyubov is a human rights activist who co-founded and headed the Human Rights Center for Military Personnel “Princip”. Her experience is important for the systemic changes that military personnel should experience,” he emphasized.

Lyubov Galan is a co-founder and head of the public organizations “Princip” and Frontline.Care, and was also a co-host of the podcast “In the Affairs of Military Personnel”, created by the Public Service together with the Human Rights Center “Princip”.

Strengthening international cooperation

The newly appointed Deputy Minister of Defense for European Integration, Serhiy Boev, will be responsible for the international direction of the defense department.

Among his key tasks are the implementation of agreements with international partners, coordination of military assistance programs, attracting funding, developing joint defense projects, supporting the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex, and expanding cooperation with the European Union, NATO, and other partner countries.

“Serhiy’s expertise and experience will undoubtedly strengthen our cooperation with the EU, NATO, and other states, help attract more security assistance, and build partnerships that work over the long term,” said Yevhen Khmara.

Before working at the Ministry of Defense, Serhiy Boev worked for international financial and consulting companies JPMorgan Chase, Credit Suisse, Boston Consulting Group Ukraine, as well as for state-owned companies Ukrgazvydobuvannya and Naftogaz of Ukraine. In 2023, he was appointed Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries for European Integration, and since 2024 he has worked at the Ministry of Defense.

A new stage in the formation of the leadership of the Ministry of Defense

As a reminder, on July 16, the Verkhovna Rada approved the new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. At the same time, the positions of Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs remained vacant, since in accordance with the Constitution, the President of Ukraine submits candidacies for these positions.

On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Yevheniy Khmara, who previously served as Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, has been entrusted with the temporary performance of the duties of Minister of Defense.

The appointment of new deputies indicates the continuation of the formation of the management team of the Ministry of Defense and determines the key areas of the department’s work – strengthening the protection of the rights of servicemen, improving personnel policy, and expanding international defense partnerships.