Koliada Oksana Vasylivna

Colonel-Minister

Oksana Vasylivna Kolyada — servicemember, reserve colonel, combatant, Minister for Veterans Affairs, Temporarily Occupied Territories, and Internally Displaced Persons (2019–2020).

From the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ATO and Ministry of Defense

From 2003 to 2015 served in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In 2015–2017 — in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, headed the Communication and Press Department of the Ministry of Defense; initiated the first military journalist training and accreditation courses in Ukraine and regional military press centers in Avdiivka and Sievierodonetsk. For three months in 2017 — deputy commander of ATO.

Appointment from the "Veterans Movement" and ministerial record

Kolyada's candidacy was proposed by the "Union of Veterans of Ukraine." Since March 2019 — deputy minister for veterans, since August 29, 2019 — minister. She held the position for less than seven months: on March 4, 2020, the resignation of the Honcharuk government automatically ended her term.

Scandal with the far-right and "Perun's Axe"

Bellingcat revealed that Kolyada, together with Prime Minister Honcharuk, attended the Veterans Strong event organized with support from the "Veterans Movement of Ukraine," where the band "Perun's Axe" performed — known for songs with racist lyrics. The Ministry explained that Kolyada "was not familiar with the group's repertoire," and attended a party with "musical accompaniment by various bands." Journalists noted that veteran groups with clear links to far-right activists overwhelmingly dominated the Public Council of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.