Ivan Havrylyuk Takes the Helm as CEO
Lieutenant General Ivan Havrylyuk has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of Ukrainian Defense Industry JSC after a transparent and competitive recruitment process. The supervisory board made this decision following the resignation of former CEO Herman Smetanin amid a scandal involving Ukroboronprom's warehouses in Vyshneve. Representatives from the Ukrainian branch of the international firm Amrop Partnership were involved in overseeing the selection.
Extensive Military and Defense Background
Originating from the Zhytomyr region, Havrylyuk brings decades of experience in both military service and defense sector leadership. His notable roles include:
- First Deputy Minister of Defense;
- Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- Head of Logistics for an Army Corps from 2013 to 2014;
- Chief of the Main Logistics Directorate and Deputy Chief of the General Staff from 2018 to 2020.
After retiring from active military service in 2020, he served as an advisor to the Commander of the Logistics Forces until 2022. With the outbreak of full-scale war on February 24, 2022, Havrylyuk was mobilized and appointed head of the Communications and Information Systems Department within the Logistics Command Headquarters.
Between April and August 2022, he led Ukraine's working group at the German coordination center for military aid. From September 2022 to October 2023, he held the position of Deputy Chief Inspector at the Ministry of Defense. In 2023, he advanced to Deputy Minister of Defense, and on May 17, 2024, he was promoted to First Deputy Minister of Defense and became a member of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Headquarters. He stepped down from his ministry role in May 2026.
Herman Smetanin’s resignation followed a widely publicized controversy surrounding the storage facilities of Ukroboronprom in Vyshneve, which triggered significant public outcry. On July 11, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that officials responsible for approving the warehouses’ location would face accountability. The following day, July 12, 2026, Ukroboronprom dismissed two state enterprise leaders along with other staff members.
Havrylyuk’s mandate as CEO includes expanding production capabilities, fostering organizational growth, and strengthening Ukraine’s defense industrial complex.
“The supervisory board made the final decision on the new CEO after a thorough competitive selection process and concluding interviews,” stated the Ukroboronprom press service.
This appointment arrives at a critical juncture when stability and advancement in Ukraine’s defense sector are paramount. Given Havrylyuk’s deep expertise in military operations and defense management, expectations are high that he will effectively address the sector’s challenges. The recent warehouse scandal has underscored the urgent need for transparency and sound governance within Ukraine’s defense industry to safeguard national security.