New Police Ranks Announced
On July 3, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy elevated four police officers to general-level positions. Andrii Rubel and Dmytro Torhalo were promoted to Third Rank Police General, while Oleksandr Fatsevych and Maksym Tsutskiridze received the rank of Second Rank Police General. These personnel changes within the police force come in the wake of a tragic shooting in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district on April 18, which claimed the lives of seven people. The incident has intensified scrutiny on law enforcement performance and accountability.
Andrii Rubel currently serves as the head of the National Police Main Directorate in Kyiv Oblast. Prior to this role, he led the National Police’s Department of Strategic Investigations. Dmytro Torhalo, also promoted to Third Rank Police General, is the chief of the National Police’s Department for Combating Drug Crime. Oleksandr Fatsevych, Deputy Head of the National Police of Ukraine and head of the patrol police, was promoted to Second Rank Police General. Maksym Tsutskiridze, First Deputy Head of the National Police and head of the Main Investigative Department, also received the rank of Second Rank Police General.
Personnel Shifts and Their Background
In May, Andrii Rubel was appointed as the new head of the National Police Main Directorate in Kyiv Oblast. Earlier, following the Holosiivskyi district incident, the head of the Patrol Police Department, Yevhenii Zhukov, submitted a resignation letter voluntarily and became an advisor to the head of the National Police. The Interior Minister stated that Zhukov could not morally remain in his position after two patrol officers made mistakes and failed to protect civilians. The minister emphasized that the officers’ actions undermined the credibility of the entire law enforcement system.
In 2025, the Department for Combating Drug Crime uncovered over 48,000 drug-related offenses, indicating a rise in activity in this area. In 2024, more than 47,000 drug crimes were detected, further underscoring the severity of the issue. These figures highlight the growing challenge of drug trafficking in the country.
These personnel reshuffles within the police reflect a response to heightened public tension following the Holosiivskyi tragedy, underscoring the need for improved law enforcement operations. The promotions may represent an effort to rebuild trust in the police and demonstrate a commitment to public safety. Given the increase in crime, particularly drug-related offenses, these steps may also signal a push to intensify the fight against this problem in Ukraine.
In light of recent personnel changes within the police force, the appointment of a Major from the Donetsk region to lead the Kyiv patrol police highlights the ongoing efforts to enhance law enforcement effectiveness following the tragic events in Holosiivskyi district. This shift in leadership aims to restore public trust and accountability in the wake of the fatal shooting. For more on this significant development, read about the new command structure in the Kyiv patrol police.