Ukraine's Zelenskyy Appoints New Clemency Commission Led by Budanov

President Zelenskyy Approves New Commission Membership

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has formally approved a new membership for the Commission on Clemency Issues. He also signed draft law No.13037, which introduces amendments to the statutes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This information was published with reference to Presidential Decree No.247/2026.

Members of the New Commission

Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office, has been appointed as the Chairman of the new commission. The commission's membership also includes:

• Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine;
• Dmytro Zhuravliov, Deputy Head of the Department for Citizenship, Clemency, and State Awards – Head of the Clemency Department of the President's Office of Ukraine;
• Oleksandr Marchenko, Secretary of the Commission, Chief Consultant of the Clemency Department within the Department for Citizenship, Clemency, and State Awards of the President's Office of Ukraine;
• Yevhen Horobets, Head of the Department for the Execution of Criminal Sentences;
• Serhiy Hrechaniuk, Rector of the Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine (with consent);
• Vitaliy Levchenko, Head of the Military Law and Order Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
• Yaroslav Merezhko, Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine;
• Nataliia Onshchenko, Deputy Director of the V. M. Koretsky Institute of State and Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (with consent);
• Kateryna Pavlichenko, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine;
• Oleksandr Pavlichenko, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union (with consent).

The signed draft law No.13037 aims to amend the Disciplinary Statute and the Internal Service Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These changes could affect the organization of service activities and discipline within the military. This move comes as Ukraine continues to manage its defense and legal systems during a period of prolonged conflict.

The approval of the new clemency commission and the amendments to the military statutes reflect the state's effort to refine its justice system and military discipline. The focus on clemency may indicate an intent to find compromise solutions in cases that align with societal interests. Changes to the statutes could also lead to improved discipline and service organization, a crucial aspect given the ongoing security challenges facing the country.

In addition to the recent commission appointments, President Zelenskyy is also focusing on strengthening military leadership across the country. Notably, he has authorized key military appointments within the Dnipropetrovsk administration, which could significantly impact local governance and security. For further insights into these developments, see how these changes may affect the region's strategic landscape in our detailed report on military leadership changes in Dnipropetrovsk.