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Viktor MuzhenkoUkrainian military leader, general of the Ukrainian army
Date of Birth: 10.10.1961
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- Military Leadership
- Commander-in-Chief
- Ukrainian Armed Conflict
- Controversies and Criminal Charges
- Awards and Honors
- - Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd class (2016)
Early Life and Career
Viktor Mykhailovych Muzhenko was born on October 10, 1961, in Vyshtupovychi, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukrainian SSR. In 1983, he graduated from the Leningrad Higher Combined Arms Command School of the USSR Armed Forces (now the Saint Petersburg Higher Combined Arms Command School) and began his service in the Transcaucasian Military District (ZVO).
Military Leadership
From 1984 to 1986, Muzhenko held the positions of motorized rifle platoon commander and motorized rifle company commander in the ZVO. From 1986 to 1992, he served as a motorized rifle battalion commander. In 1992, he became an officer and later a senior officer in the combat and morale-psychological preparation department of the tank army in the Carpathian Military District.
In 1996, Muzhenko graduated from the Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and was appointed chief of staff and deputy commander of a regiment in the Carpathian Military District's tank army. He became a regiment commander in 1996 and chief of staff and deputy commander of a division in the Northern Operational Command in 2000.
From April 2003 to July 2004, Muzhenko served as chief of staff and first deputy commander of a mechanized brigade in the Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent of the multinational forces in Iraq. In 2005, he was appointed deputy chief of staff of an army corps of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, then became deputy commander of the corps and chief of staff and first deputy commander of an army corps. That same year, he graduated from the Operational-Strategic Level Officer Training Faculty of the National Defense Academy of Ukraine.
In 2010, Muzhenko took command of the 8th Army Corps of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. On May 10, 2012, he was appointed deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by order of the Ukrainian Defense Minister.
Commander-in-Chief
On July 3, 2014, Muzhenko was appointed Chief of the General Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by decree of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. He held this position until May 21, 2019.
Ukrainian Armed Conflict
During the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, Muzhenko was the de facto commander of the Ukrainian army's operations in the region. He played a significant role in the conflict, leading the Ukrainian army to victory and gaining the respect of his troops. Muzhenko also implemented reforms to improve the effectiveness of the Ukrainian army, such as establishing a reserve corps.
Controversies and Criminal Charges
In October 2014, the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Muzhenko, accusing him of ordering the destruction of the Russian-speaking population in eastern Ukraine. Muzhenko denied these accusations, and Interpol refused Russia's request to declare him an international fugitive.
Awards and Honors
Muzhenko received numerous awards and honors during his career, including:
- Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd class (2016)
- Order of Danylo Halytsky (2004)- Medal for Impeccable Service, 3rd class (2001)
- Medal for Defender of the Fatherland
- Medal for 10 Years of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
- Medal for 15 Years of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
