Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
Міністерство Oборони України

Ministerial insignia

Ministry of Defence building in Kiev
Agency overview
Formed September 3, 1991
Preceding agency
  • State Committee of Ukraine in Military Affairs[1]
Jurisdiction Ukraine пожаловатся
Headquarters prospekt Povitroflotskyi 6, Kiev
Agency executives
Parent agency Cabinet of Ministers
Child agencies
Website http://www.mil.gov.ua

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Міністерство оборони України) was established on September 24, 1991,[3][4] one month after Ukraine's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. The ministry was in charge of reorganizing all Soviet forces on the Ukrainian terrain under its command. This mass was not an army but an immense force grouping, which would take several months to reorganize.[3][5]

Since that time, Ukraine has voluntarily given up all of its nuclear weapons. The ministry of defence has spent numerous funds eliminating former nuclear silos, military bases and on reduction of man-power and equipment, to be in accordance with the conventional armed forces treaty.

Mission

Once ratified by the Ukrainian Rada (parliament), the major objectives of the ministry are preventing hostility, structuring the military, and repelling aggression. Ukrainian security policies are very defensive and based on non-intervention, respect for the national borders and sovereignty of other states, and rejection of the use of force as an instrument of policy. Because of political sensitivity, the military doctrine, similar to Ukraine's security policy, avoids pointing out a specific threat. Rather it refers to a "state whose consistent policy presents a military threat, or leads to interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine, or encroaches on its territorial integrity and its national interests."[6]

Hence, the Ministry of Defence is responsible for:

History

Flag of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence

Earlier

The first military executive office was created on June 28, 1917 as part of the General Secretariat of Ukraine and was headed by Symon Petliura. The Russian Provisional Government refused to recognize it, but after the October Revolution the Secretariat of Military Affairs was re-established on November 12, 1917. At the end of December 1917 Symon Petliura resigned in protest to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. At the same time, Bolsheviks established own executive branch as part of the People's Secretariat headed by Vasyl Shakhrai. On January 6, 1918 Volodymyr Vynnychenko appointed Mykola Porsh to the vacant position. On January 25, 1918 the general secretariats were reorganized into people's ministries as Ukraine proclaimed its independence. [People's] Ministry of Military Affairs existed also during the regime of Hetman of Ukraine Pavlo Skoropadsky and until the exile of the Ukrainian National Government at the end of 1920.

On January 24, 1919 there was established the People's Commissariat of Military Affairs of the Ukrainian SSR. In summer of 1919 it was dissolved due to the military union that was signed between governments of the Ukrainian SSR and the Russian SFSR in April 1919.[8]

In 1944 there also existed the People's Commissariat of Defence of the Ukrainian SSR.[9]

Post-Soviet Union

In 1991, Ukraine inherited one of the largest military forces not only in the post-socialist area, but in all of Europe (excluding Russia).[4] This included 780,000 formerly Soviet military personnel, one rocket army, four Air Force armies, a separate air defense army, and the Black Sea Fleet. Altogether, when established, the Armed Forces of Ukraine included more than 350 ships, 1500 combat aircraft, and 1272 strategic nuclear war-heads of intercontinental ballistic missiles. This force was designed to confront NATO in full-scale warfare, using conventional and nuclear weapons.[10]

Insignia of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence
Service patch of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence

Therefore on 24 September 1991, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the resolution about the process of taking under its jurisdiction of all military units of former Soviet Armed Forces, situated on the territory of Ukraine; and about the establishment of one of the most important Ministries, the Ministry of Defence. Hence, the country became the first among the former Soviet republics to establish a ministry of defence.[6] The ministry and the Ukrainian government subsequently, began establishing the different military branches.

The Ukrainian National Ministry of Defence institution, however, has a much earlier history when it was first established by Symon Petlyura in 1917 as a General Secretariat of Military Affairs for the Russian Provisional Government. During the aggression of the Soviet Russia the national ministry was eliminated, while its Soviet counterpart was eventually liquidated by mid 1920's.

The political preference of Ukraine authority on the non-nuclear and non-coalition state status was made to be the foundation of the Armed Forces organization process. But equally as important to the foundation were the limitations, connected with approval of the Agreement "On conventional Armed Forces in Europe" and implementation of the Tashkent Agreement of 1992, which establish not only maximal levels of arms for each state of former USSR. Therefore, between 1992 and 1997 the number of military personnel in Ukraine was nearly halved.[11] In a short span of time, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed some legislative acts concerning the military sphere: The conception for Defence and organization of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the resolution "On Security Council of Ukraine", Laws of Ukraine "On Defence of Ukraine", "On the Armed Forces of Ukraine", and Military Doctrine of Ukraine. Mostly related to structural control of the Armed Forces.

In addition, Ukraine began its nuclear weapons disarmament program in the early 90s. By 1 June 1996, there was no nuclear weapon in Ukraine.[12][13]

During the first few years of independence, the national Defence Ministry built the basics for a functional defense system, in spite of different difficulties of that time (which included; hyperinflation, transition from a Socialist to a Capitalist economic system and the loss of 60% of the country’s GDP). Ministry of Defence, the General Staff, branches of the Armed Forces, executive system and a training system of the Armed Forces were established in this short span of time. After some time, it became apparent that the process of the Armed Forces improvement had just begun. And the problem was that not only there were no special system and efficient plan for resolving the military development problems of that time, but also that it was lack of trained personnel for its development and realization.

A shuffle in the military department’s administration had a rather negative effect on the process of military development. From 1991 till 1996, three Ministers of Defence and four Chiefs of General Staff were changed. About 70% of administrative staff was changed in the early stages of forming the Armed Forces of Ukraine. All military district commanders, army commanders, corps and division commanders were changed several times over. This problem was complicated by the countries instability, connected with international dislocation of military personnel. About 12000 officers pledged their allegiance to other countries (Mostly Russia) and more than 33000 personnel came back to serve the Ukrainian army between 1991 till 1994.

No doubt, that the main reason of dissatisfied realization of the main procedures of the Armed Forces development process was permanent reduction of common part of expenses for National Defence at all; expenses for the Armed Forces, purchases of armament and military vehicles, providing the research engineering and design efforts.

Development of the military

Armed Forces of Ukraine
Main branches
Air Force
Ground Forces
Navy
Other Corps
Naval Infantry
Mechanized Forces
Airmobile Forces
Related Services
Ministry of Defence
General Staff
Ministry of Internal Affairs
National Space Agency
Intelligence
Security Service
Foreign Intelligence Service
Military Intelligence Service
History of the Ukrainian Military
History of Ukraine
History of Ukraine during WWII
History of Ukraine during WWI

The progress of Ukraine's military organization and development are (by the Ministry of Defence) divided into three main periods:

First stages

The aspects of the first period of development were the forming the legal foundation of the Armed Forces activity, reorganization of its structure, establishment of the corresponding executive structures and supporting structures, and other elements, which were necessary for its functioning.

The first stages of development of the Armed Forces also began the reduction of the military institutions, number of personnel, and number of armament and nuclear technology. As such a large quantity of weaponry was both unnecessary for Ukraine and could not have been maintained with the provided defence budget.

At the end of 1996, more than 3500 different military institutions and 410000 personnel were discharged. Also, the number of armament and defence technologies was decreased: combat aircraft – by 600 units, helicopters – by 250, the garrison tanks and combat armed vehicles by 2400 and 2000.[7]

Throughout the 1992–1997 the army was reduced by 400,000 servicemen. More than 1300 units, organizations, command and control installations were disbanded during that period. By the end of 1999 the organizational strength of the Armed Forces is to number around 400,000 men, including 310,000 military and 90,000 civilians.[11]

Future development

According to the Defence Ministry, it is also planned to create a system of civilian control over the armed forces, illuminate the tasks of the highest leadership and respective state and military organizations in terms of Armed Forces command and control. Therefore, the President of Ukraine, as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, executes command and control over the Armed Forces according to the Constitution of Ukraine and active legislation. Command and control over the Armed Forces and other military formations in emergencies is executed by the President of Ukraine through the general headquarters (similar to the Soviet STAVKA), one working agency of which is the General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces and the other being, the Ministry of Defence.

Realization of the basics of the Armed Forces Command and Control organization reform concept will leave out repetition in their work, increase efficiency, responsibility level and effectiveness of the Armed Forces branches commands. While Operational Commands, reduce both the number of command and control structures and their manpower. Consequently, by late 2005 the ministry of defence will reduce its structure by 37% and its manpower almost in half.

Ukraine has announced the goal of making its army all-professional by the year 2015. In the first stage in the years 2001 through 2005, around a third of the army servicemen were replaced with professionals. During the third stage (in the years 2006 through 2010), the quantity of professionals serving in the army is planned to increase up to 50%. And, lastly, at the final stage (scheduled to complete by the year 2015), the army will become all-professional. Army downsizing will accompany the transition to an all-professional army.[14]

Structure

The Ukrainian Defence Ministry is responsible for the management of territorial defence, military development, mobilization in the case of war and combat readiness. The General Staff of Ukraine has the task of planning defensive and operational management of the armed forces. The General Staff is assistant to the Defence Minister of Ukraine.

List of Ministers of Defence

# Picture Name Origin Took Office Left Office Days served President(s) served under References
1 Kostyantyn Morozov Luhansk Oblast September 3, 1991 September 30, 1993 758 Leonid Kravchuk [15][16][17][18]
Acting Ivan Bizhan Vinnytsia Oblast October 4, 1993 October 8, 1993 4 [18]
2 Vitalyi Radetskyi Cherkasy Oblast October 8, 1993 August 25, 1994 321 Leonid Kravchuk
Leonid Kuchma		 [19][20][21]
Acting Valeriy Shmarov Vinnytsia Oblast 25 August, 1994 10 October, 1994 46 Leonid Kuchma [21][22]
3 10 October, 1994 8 July, 1996 637 [22][23][24][25]
4 Oleksandr Kuzmuk Khmelnytskyi Oblast 11 July, 1996 24 October, 2001 1931 [23][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]
Acting Unknown 24 October, 2001 12 November, 2001 19
5 Volodymyr Shkidchenko Russian SFSR 12 November, 2001 25 June, 2003 589 [34][35][36]
6 Yevhen Marchuk Kirovohrad Oblast 25 June, 2003 23 September, 2004 456 [37][36][38]
7 Oleksandr Kuzmuk Khmelnytskyi Oblast 24 September, 2004 3 February, 2005 132 Leonid Kuchma
Viktor Yushchenko		 [39][40]
8 Anatoliy Hrytsenko Cherkasy Oblast 4 February, 2005 18 December, 2007 1047 Viktor Yushchenko [41][42][43]
9 Yuriy Yekhanurov Russian SFSR 18 December, 2007 5 June, 2009 535 [44][42][45]
Acting Valeriy Ivashchenko Zaporizhia Oblast 5 June, 2009 11 March, 2010 279 Viktor Yushchenko
Viktor Yanukovych
10 Mykhailo Yezhel Vinnytsia Oblast 11 March, 2010 8 February, 2012 699 Viktor Yanukovych [46]
11 Dmytro Salamatin Russian SFSR 8 February, 2012 24 December 2012 320 [47]
12 Pavlo Lebedyev 24 December 2012 27 February 2014 430 Viktor Yanukovych
Oleksandr Turchynov		 [48]
Commissar Volodymyr Zamana Chernihiv Oblast 22 February 2014 27 February 2014 5 Oleksandr Turchynov
Acting Ihor Tenyukh Lviv Oblast 27 February 2014 25 March 2014 26
Acting Mykhailo Koval Khmelnytskyi Oblast 25 March 2014 3 July 2014 100 Oleksandr Turchynov
Petro Poroshenko
13 Valeriy Heletey Zakarpattia Oblast 3 July 2014 14 October 2014 103 Petro Poroshenko [49]
14 Stepan Poltorak Odessa Oblast 14 October 2014 present 526

References

  1. ↑ Declaration of Cabinet of Ministers
  2. ↑ Rada supports coalition-proposed government lineup, Interfax-Ukraine (2 December 2014)
    Rada approves new Cabinet with three foreigners, Kyiv Post (2 December 2014)
    (Ukrainian) Rada voted the new Cabinet, Ukrayinska Pravda (2 December 2014)
  3. 1 2 Історія створення Збройних Сил України
  4. 1 2 Government portal :: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
  5. ↑ Book_WP_2006_ENG_nver.indd
  6. 1 2 http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/jfq_pubs/18_15.pdf
  7. 1 2 http://www.mil.gov.ua/files/white_book_eng2005.pdf
  8. ↑ People's Commissariat of Military Affairs of the Ukrainian SSR at Ukrainian Soviet Encyclopedia
  9. ↑ People's Commissariat of Defence of the Ukrainian SSR at Ukrainian Soviet Encyclopedia
  10. ↑ James Sherr, 'Ukraine's Defence Reform: An Update', Conflict Studies Research Centre, 2002
  11. 1 2 Ministry of Defence - Ukraine
  12. ↑ The history of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
  13. ↑ Ukraine: History of the Proposal for a NWFZ in Europe
  14. ↑ http://merln.ndu.edu/whitepapers/Ukraine_Eng-2005.pdf, page 4 of 136
  15. ↑ (Ukrainian) Verkhovna Rada Resolution № 1473-XII "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  16. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 540/1992 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  17. ↑ (Ukrainian) "Commanders of Ministry of Defence, General Staff, and Armed Forces of Ukraine (1991-2009)" (PDF), Army of Ukraine ("Військо України") 114 (12): 4, retrieved February 19, 2011
  18. 1 2 (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 418/1993 "Regarding acting Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  19. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 434/1993 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  20. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 567/1993 "Regarding promotion of V. Radetskyi"
  21. 1 2 (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 477/1994 "Regarding acting Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  22. 1 2 (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 579/1994 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  23. 1 2 (Ukrainian) "Commanders of Ministry of Defence, General Staff, and Armed Forces of Ukraine (1991-2009)" (PDF), Army of Ukraine ("Військо України") 114 (12): 5, retrieved February 19, 2011
  24. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 533/1995 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  25. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 520/1996 "Dismissal of V. Shmarov from Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  26. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 528/1996 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  27. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 697/1997 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  28. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 1652/1999 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  29. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 370/2001 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  30. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 359/2001 "Dismissal of O. Kuzmuk from Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  31. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 1012/2001 "Dismissal of O. Kuzmuk from Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  32. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 1162/1996 "Regarding promotion of O. Kuzmuk"
  33. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 922/1998 "Regarding promotion of O. Kuzmuk"
  34. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 1070/2001 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  35. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 1102/2002 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  36. 1 2 (Ukrainian) "Commanders of Ministry of Defence, General Staff, and Armed Forces of Ukraine (1991-2009)" (PDF), Army of Ukraine ("Військо України") 114 (12): 6, retrieved February 19, 2011
  37. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 550/2003 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  38. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 1114/2004 "Dismissal of Y. Marchuk from Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  39. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 1115/2004 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  40. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 133/2005 "Dismissal of O. Kuzmuk from Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  41. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 154/2005 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  42. 1 2 (Ukrainian) "Commanders of Ministry of Defence, General Staff, and Armed Forces of Ukraine (1991-2009)" (PDF), Army of Ukraine ("Військо України") 114 (12): 7, retrieved February 19, 2011
  43. ↑ (Ukrainian) Order of President of Ukraine № 1399/2005 "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  44. ↑ (Ukrainian) Verkhovna Rada Resolution № 10-VI "Regarding forming of Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine"
  45. ↑ (Ukrainian) Verkhovna Rada Resolution № 1477-VI "Dismissal of Y. Yekhanurov from Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  46. ↑ (Ukrainian) Verkhovna Rada Resolution № 1970-VI "Regarding Minister of Defence of Ukraine"
  47. ↑ Yanukovych replaces defense minister, Kyiv Post (8 February 2012)
    Yanukovych replaces defense minister, Kyiv Post (8 February 2012)
  48. ↑ President of Ukraine has appointed new staff of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, UNIAN (24 December 2012)
  49. ↑ Ukraine's new defence minister promises Crimea victory, BBC News (3 July 2014)
    Heletei appointed Ukrainian defense minister, Interfax-Ukraine (3 July 2014)

External links

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