The Ministry of Veterans Affairs will dismiss the deputy minister following reports of the humiliation of a veteran.

The Ministry of Veterans Affairs has submitted documents to the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the dismissal of Ruslana Velychko-Tryfonyuk from her position as Deputy Minister for European Integration. This was stated in a report by the ministry. Previously, former serviceman Yevhen Shybalov announced his resignation from the ministry due to constant humiliation from the leadership.

On Tuesday, December 31, veteran and former POW Yevhen Shybalov announced that he had resigned from his position as head of the Department for European Integration and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. On Monday, January 6, he explained his decision by stating that he was tired of constant humiliation from the leadership: “In less than half a year, from the inspiring motivational speeches of the leadership, I learned many interesting things about myself. In particular, that I am: a dumb***, doing nothing, engaging in some kind of bull****, considering myself a huge expert, only promoting myself instead of working, and that I have a soft d**k”.

Later that same day, on social media, a military individual with the nickname radykalniy reported that Deputy Minister Ruslana Velychko-Tryfonyuk was mocking and humiliating subordinates. He stated that Yevhen Shybalov was not the only one whom the official had humiliated and called for her dismissal.

“Why does this person allow herself to humiliate veterans working in the Ministry? Yevhen Shybalov is not the first case [...] As a combat participant and potential veteran, I am outraged by such disorder in your structure and want to see decisive actions from you, namely, the dismissal of Ruslana Velychko-Tryfonyuk, not just ‘finger-wagging’”, the post read.

On the afternoon of January 6, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs responded to the statements made by the military and announced that they had sent documents to the Cabinet for the dismissal of Ruslana Velychko-Tryfonyuk from her position as Deputy Minister for European Integration in the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine. They also stated that they condemned the official's behavior.

“The Ministry categorically condemns behavior that humiliates the honor and dignity of war veterans or any person, regardless of age, gender, nationality, social status, etc., and no circumstances can justify it. Every employer, regardless of ownership form, must create appropriate conditions for the reintegration of veterans in the workplace”, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs stated.

The ministry also announced that a service inspection had been initiated.