Kovalenko Anna Oleksandrivna

Theatrologist in the Deputy Head of OP: a career based on connections and conflict with veterans

Anna Kovalenko is a native of Bucha, initially educated as a theatrologist at Karpenko-Kary Kyiv National University of Theatre, Cinema and Television. A sotnytsia of the 39th Women's Hundred of the Maidan Self-Defense, advisor to three defense ministers and the Minister of Information Policy. Wife of the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel General Ruslan Khomchak. In 2019, elected to the Rada from "Servant of the People" under No.35, but resigned her mandate after 12 days — and immediately became deputy head of the OP under Bogdan. Kovalenko's competence as a defense expert was questioned: lacking specialized education, she instead completed a two-week course in Geneva. During a protest by ATO and IDP veterans, she engaged in a verbal altercation, which gave the impression that she blamed combatants for starting the war in the East.

Lobbying a corrupt official in Ukroboronprom and rapid dismissals

Kovalenko was virtually the main lobbyist for retaining Pavlo Bukin, involved in a corruption scandal in the defense sector, as CEO of Ukroboronprom, publicly calling him a "professional person." On April 22, 2020, she was dismissed from her position as deputy head of OP — and just two days later appointed deputy minister for community development. In October 2020 she headed Chernihiv Regional State Administration, but was dismissed from this position in August 2021 as well. Three positions in two years — with no visible achievements and no public explanation for the dismissals.