He gave up his seat in parliament and went to the front; which politicians are fighting now?
Among those currently serving in the military or who have fought on the front lines are current and former members of parliament, mayors, government officials, judges, and prominent public figures. Some of them have been wounded, some have lost loved ones, and some have given their lives for Ukraine.
Oleg Tyagnibok
Oleg Tyagnibok, leader of the All-Ukrainian Union “Svoboda” and a former member of parliament, joined the ranks of the Defense Forces after the start of the full-scale invasion. Recently, he has been serving as a battalion commander. The war has also affected his family. Earlier, the politician’s son, Hordii Tyahnybok, was wounded on the front lines. And his nephew, Artemiy-Yulian Dymyd, was killed in action while defending Ukraine.
Roman Kostenko
One of the most well-known military figures among current members of parliament is Roman Kostenko. He serves as secretary of the parliamentary committee on national security, defense, and intelligence, as well as an officer in the Special Operations Forces. On the front lines, he is well known by his call sign “Grom.” During the defense of the Mykolaiv region in 2022, he personally participated in combat operations and the capture of Russian soldiers.
Serhiy Rudyk
Another current member of parliament serving in the military is Serhiy Rudyk. He has been serving since the start of the full-scale war. Rudyk has repeatedly worked directly in the combat zone.
Oleg Lyashko
Former Member of Parliament and leader of the Radical Party Oleg Lyashko was mobilized immediately after the start of the full-scale invasion. He currently serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and is the commander of a drone systems battalion.
Andriy Biletsky
Former Member of Parliament Andriy Biletsky continued his military service after the start of the war. Today, he commands one of the largest corps within the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Andriy Illienko
Andriy Illienko, a former member of parliament from the “Svoboda” party, volunteered for the military in February 2022. He continues to serve alongside many of his comrades from “Svoboda” who also mobilized after the invasion began.
Ihor Lutsenko
Ihor Lutsenko, a former member of parliament and civic activist, is also serving in the Defense Forces. Since the start of the full-scale war, he has been participating in the defense of the country on the front lines.
Those Who Have Fallen
Unfortunately, among the former members of parliament, there are those who have died in battle. Former MP Oleg Barna was killed in the war against Russia. After receiving his draft notice, former MP Serhiy Slabenko joined the military and was killed.
Former MP Oleksandr Marchenko also died during the war. Their stories serve as a reminder that war makes no exceptions for either politicians or ordinary citizens.
It’s not just MPs who are fighting
It is not only former parliamentarians who are serving. The commander of the unmanned systems battalion is former head of the Ternopil Regional State Administration Stepan Barna. At one time, one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Ukraine volunteered for the army.
Some mayors, officials, and representatives of big business are serving on the front lines. There are also known cases of wealthy people who did not plan to serve but were mobilized on a general basis.
Russia’s full-scale invasion has changed the lives of millions of Ukrainians. Among those wearing military uniforms today are farmers, teachers, programmers, workers, entrepreneurs, lawmakers, and officials. That is why the claim that only poor or socially vulnerable people are fighting is simply not true. The Ukrainian army today brings together people with very different life experiences, professions, and political views. And for many of them, the war has become not a topic for discussion, but a personal responsibility for the country’s future. This is reported by Dmytro Korchynskyi.
Oleg Tyagnibok, chairman of the All-Ukrainian Union “Svoboda” and a former member of parliament, was wounded while on the front lines. The incident occurred when a Russian drone struck the vehicle in which he was traveling with his comrades.
