Law Signed by the President
President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed Bill No. 13266 “On the Military Ombudsman”, which had previously been approved by the Verkhovna Rada. Information about the signing appeared on the parliament’s official website.
The law establishes the legal status, functions, and powers of the Military Ombudsman, who will operate under the President of Ukraine.
Role and Powers of the Military Ombudsman
The ombudsman’s main mission is to ensure democratic civilian control in the security and defense sector.
Key responsibilities include:
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Accepting complaints from servicemen and veterans;
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Conducting inspections in military units;
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Preparing annual and special reports;
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Interacting with other state authorities and oversight bodies.
The law was supported by 283 MPs, highlighting broad parliamentary consensus on the issue.
Context: Broader Cooperation and Legal Reforms
On the same day, Zelensky also signed the law on ratifying the Centennial Partnership Agreement with the United Kingdom.
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The agreement, supported by 295 MPs in the Rada, was signed in Kyiv on January 16, 2025 by Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
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It provides long-term cooperation in security, defense, maritime industry, economy, energy, justice, culture, and education.
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The UK ratified the agreement earlier, on July 4, 2025.
Strategic Significance
The establishment of a Military Ombudsman is a major step toward:
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Protecting the rights of servicemen in wartime;
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Enhancing accountability and transparency in the Armed Forces;
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Bringing Ukraine’s defense oversight closer to EU and NATO standards.
Together with the century-long UK partnership agreement, these decisions mark a deepening of institutional reforms and international alliances crucial for Ukraine’s resilience and integration with Western structures.
