Denys Monastyrsky | |
|---|---|
Денис Монастирський | |
 Official portrait, 2021 | |
| 12thMinister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine | |
| In office 16 July 2021 – 18 January 2023 | |
| President | Volodymyr Zelenskyy |
| Prime Minister | Denys Shmyhal |
| Preceded by | Arsen Avakov |
| Succeeded by | Ihor Klymenko |
| People's Deputy of Ukraine | |
| 9th convocation | |
| In office 29 August 2019 – 16 July 2021 | |
| Constituency | Servant of the People |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1980-06-12)12 June 1980 Khmelnytskyi, Soviet Union |
| Died | 18 January 2023(2023-01-18) (aged 42) Brovary, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine |
| Cause of death | Helicopter crash |
| Political party | Servant of the People |
| Spouse | Zhanna Monastyrska |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Khmelnytskyi University of Management and Law (PhD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Ukraine |
| Years of service | 2022–2023 |
| Commands | Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine |
| Battles/wars | |
Denys Anatoliiovych Monastyrsky[a][b] (Ukrainian:Денис Анатолійович Монастирський,IPA:[deˈnɪsɐnɐˈtɔl⁽ʲ⁾ijowɪtʃmonɐsˈtɪrsʲkɪj]; 12 June 1980 – 18 January 2023) was a Ukrainian lawyer and politician who served asMinister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine from 16 July 2021 until his death in ahelicopter crash on 18 January 2023.[1][2][3] He had been very close toVolodymyr Zelenskyy since the beginning of his presidential campaign.[4]
Denys Monastyrsky was born inKhmelnytskyi, then in theUkrainian Soviet Socialist Republic of theSoviet Union, on 12 June 1980.[5] He was a graduate of Faculty of Law of the Khmelnytskyi University of Management and Law.[5] Monastyrsky was also a former student at the Koretsky Institute of State and Law of theNational Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.[5] He had a PhD in law.[5]
In 2007, Monastyrsky started his career as a lawyer.[5] He also headed the department of lawmaking and scientific expertise of the research part of theKhmelnytskyi University of Management and Law, where he worked as an associate professor.[6]
Monastyrsky was a co-founder and a member of the board of thePodilia Youth Cultural Association "Into the Future through Culture".[5][6]
Between 2014 and 2019, Monastyrsky was an assistant-consultant toAnton Herashchenko in the8th Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada.[6]
In the run-up to the2019 Ukrainian presidential election Monastyrsky was presented as an expert of presidential candidateVolodymyr Zelenskyy's "team" on law enforcement reform.[6] Zelenskyy won the election and was inaugurated asPresident of Ukraine on 20 May 2019.[7]
Monastyrsky was a candidate forServant of the People in the2019 Ukrainian parliamentary election.[5] He was placed No. 19 on the national election list and elected to theUkrainian parliament.[5][8]
In parliament, he became head of the parliamentaryCommittee on Law Enforcement Affairs.[5] According to an analysis byCivil movement "Chesno" he was one of the people's deputies who submitted the most legislative initiatives.[6]
After Interior MinisterArsen Avakov had submitted his resignation as Interior Minister on 12 July 2021,[9] Monastyrsky was appointedMinister of Internal Affairs by 271MPs on 16 July 2021.[1][2] Anton Herashchenko became one of his official advisors at the Ministry.[10]
In September 2022, Monastyrsky participated in the largest prisoner exchange operation between Ukraine and Russia, when 215 Ukrainian soldiers returned home, including more than 100 fighters and commanders of theAzov Regiment.[11]
Throughout the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Monastyrsky was among the top security officials who remained inKyiv, the capital, with Zelenskyy in the first days of the war as Russia's army bore down on the city.[12] As Ukraine's minister for internal affairs, he helped shape Ukraine's wartime goals and oversaw the country'sNational Police,State Emergency Service and theState Border Guard Service.[12]
Monastyrsky, along with his deputyYevhen Yenin, and Secretary of State of the Ministry of Internal AffairsYurii Lubkovych,were killed in a helicopter crash on 18 January 2023, inBrovary, an eastern suburb of the capitalKyiv. The helicopter hit a kindergarten school as it crashed, and a child was among the 14 killed. At least 25 others were injured.[3]
Kyrylo Tymoshenko said at a briefing that the officials were heading to one of the hot spots of thewar front.[13] TheSecurity Service of Ukraine has started an investigation into the cause of the crash in Brovary.[13]
Monastyrsky's friend and MPMaria Mezentseva said it was "a tragedy for everyone" as Mr. Monastyrsky's ministry was playing a key role in Ukraine's response to the invasion. He was also very close to Zelenskyy from day one of his presidential campaign, she told theBBC.[4]
The funeral ceremony for Monastyrsky and other ministry employees who were killed took place inUkrainian House on 21 January 2023. Top officials, including Zelenskyy and his wife,Olena Zelenska, attended the funeral, offering condolences to the relatives of the crash victims.[14]
Monastyrsky was buried on 21 January 2023 at theBaikove Cemetery in Kyiv.[15]
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| Preceded by | Minister of Internal Affairs 2021–2023 | Succeeded by Ihor Klymenko Acting |
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