Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration official who allegedly did not want to sit next to a veteran resigns
27 February 2025 18:50
Alyona Atamaniuk, the first deputy head of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration, who allegedly did not want to sit next to a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war because he was “not her equal,” has written a letter of resignation.
She announced this on her Facebook page, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
She thanked each and every person who expressed words of support to her these days and added that it was extremely valuable and important to her.
“I don’t want this whole situation, which has gained such a large-scale resonance, to destroy social cohesion and undermine confidence in all the significant efforts of Bukovyna and the regional military administration, in particular, to bring victory in this war closer. Therefore, I ask Ruslan Vasylovych to sign my statement today,” she wrote.
She also apologized to those whom she may have “unintentionally offended” and called on everyone to “social unity and cohesion.”
As a reminder, the first deputy head of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration, Aliona Atamaniuk, was accused of allegedly not wanting to sit next to a veteran.
Military Oleksandr Sokolovskyi published a screenshot of the alleged correspondence between Atamaniuk and one of the employees of the Department for Veterans’ Policy, headed by Valeriy Vivchariuk: “Regarding yesterday’s meeting. Vivchariuk is not my equal, he cannot sit next to me. Take this into account next time.”
As Sokolovsky points out, Vivchariuk is a volunteer who defended Ukraine in 2015-2016 and returned to the front in 2022, a former sniper with the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Atamaniuk later responded, saying that this information with the accusations “does not correspond to reality” and is a “continuation of the information attack” against her that has been going on for about four weeks.
The head of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration, Ruslan Zaparaniuk, said that he had ordered an immediate official investigation into Aliona Atamaniuk. He assured that it would be quick and objective. Atamaniuk has been suspended from duty for the time being.
The Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs is awaiting the results of an internal investigation into the statements made by the first deputy head of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration, the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs said in a statement.
The ministry emphasizes that it highly appreciates the work of Valeriy Vivchariuk (Rex) in his current position.
“Rex is a great example of a veteran who continues to serve the state in a civilian position. We keep in touch with our veteran and colleague and express our respect and support for him in this situation,” the Ministry of Veterans said.
