Ukrainian Parliament Committee Backs Expanded Powers for Military Ombudsman to Protect Defenders’ Rights

On September 30, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Law Enforcement supported Bill No. 13267, which expands the legal mechanisms of the military ombudsperson to protect the rights of Ukraine’s defenders. The committee’s press service confirmed the information.

“Following the consideration of the bill, the committee decided to recommend that the Verkhovna Rada adopt it in the first reading as a basis”

The document’s explanations note a number of innovations: the introduction of administrative liability for failing to comply with the lawful demands of the military ombudsperson, the possibility to draw up protocols on administrative offenses that will be considered by courts; as well as criminal liability for interference in the ombudsperson’s activities in order to obstruct their official duties or to secure unlawful decisions.

“The implementation of the provisions of the act will create an effective mechanism for protecting the rights of service members, increase trust in state institutions, and contribute to meaningful changes in state processes in the interests of people”

Context and Next Steps

The lead-up to this step is closely linked to the development of a system protecting the rights of service members: in September 2023, the then-Defence Minister announced the launch of the post of military ombudsperson. In November 2024, the president stated plans to appoint an ombudsperson who would oversee issues of rights violations of service members.

In December 2024, the president appointed the commissioner for the protection of the rights of service members and their families – Olha Reshetylova. On September 19, 2025, the head of state announced that he had signed Law No. 13266 as well as a decree establishing the Office of the Military Ombudsperson, which will monitor compliance with the rights of servicemen, reservists, territorial defense, and will review complaints. He also assured that Reshetylova would become the first military ombudsperson in the country’s history.

This sequence of events testifies to the steady strengthening of legal protection for defenders, increasing trust in state institutions, and the development of mechanisms for transparent responses to rights violations in the defense and security sphere.