Presidential Commissioner and Military Ombudsman: What is the difference

We explain the differences between the positions of the Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Military Personnel and Their Family Members and the Military Ombudsman. 

Key stages in the development and transformation of the state system for protecting the rights of servicemembers:

• 30 December 2024 — The President appointed Olha Reshetylova (Kobylynska) as the Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemembers and Their Family Members.
• 17 September 2025 — The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law “On the Military Ombudsman.”
• 16 October 2025 — The President appointed Olha Reshetylova (Kobylynska) as the Military Ombudsman.
• 27 January 2026 — The Office of the Military Ombudsman officially began its work.

The Presidential Commissioner had advisory and coordination functions. The Military Ombudsman exercises civilian democratic oversight of the security and defence sector through a newly established institution, the Office of the Military Ombudsman. The Military Ombudsman is empowered to conduct inspections in military units and military administration bodies, process complaints, and has the right to urgent access to meetings with heads of state authorities, military administration bodies, and commanders of military formations.