First Corps Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine thanks Ihor Klymenko for his dedicated service to the Ukrainian people as Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is one of the key institutions in the power structure of any state. During the war, Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has been responsible for a wide range of areas — from maintaining law and order in rear-area cities to holding back the enemy at the front, from mitigating the aftermath of shelling to evacuating civilians from combat zones.
Ihor Klymenko became head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the winter of 2023, following the tragic death of Denys Monastyrsky. He had to take over and carry out the ministry’s planned campaign to establish the “Offensive Guard” brigades, one of which became the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine. Since then, we have always felt the minister’s support and often saw him in the areas where combat missions were being carried out.
The effective work of State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) units in responding to emergencies and overcoming the aftermath of Russian shelling in major cities and frontline areas is something all of Ukraine sees every day.
Minister Ihor Klymenko was among those who actively contributed to the introduction of the corps system within the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Today, the corps established within the National Guard of Ukraine are holding back the enemy in key sectors of the front in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. Ihor Klymenko’s management approach was built on constant communication with combat units and responsiveness to their current needs and requests.
The minister consistently advocated for the interests of military personnel, supported the organization of logistics and brigade provisioning, ensured the effective allocation of resources, and personally oversaw prisoner-of-war exchanges and the support of those who returned home from captivity.
First Corps Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine expresses its respect to Ihor Klymenko for his dedicated work over more than three years as minister. We continue to carry out our assigned combat missions and to work together to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capability.
Stand firm! Destroy the occupiers!
