Vice President of the Academy for Interaction with Security Forces
Major General (Reserves)
A senior special forces officer with extensive experience in conducting ground combat missions, planning and executing special operations, international military exercises, and training special forces units, with expertise in intelligence and reconnaissance.
Skilled in identifying challenges and risks, conducting assessments, and executing special operations as assigned. Kryvonos and his team developed the strategy for building Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces in cooperation with U.S. and NATO representatives. They also drafted national legislation for the establishment and development of the Special Operations Command of Ukraine (Law Project 4795, signed by the President of Ukraine on 26 July 2016). Kryvonos established the Special Operations Command Training Center (Berdychiv) and programs using NATO training standards and procedures. On 12 March 2019, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine by Presidential Decree. Additionally, he was appointed Chairman of the Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Control and led an interdepartmental working group to prepare proposals for strengthening national defense capabilities. Under his leadership, Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Law (No. 4504) was developed in 2020.
Key Strengths
Outstanding leadership and strong management skills
Strategic planning and development of effective operational strategies
Results-driven and goal-oriented
Teamwork and team leadership capabilities
Advanced critical thinking and analytical skills
Deep knowledge of tactical and operational concepts; strategic perspective
Proven ability to perform under pressure
Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working in international environments
Academic background and broad worldview
Military Experience
2021 – Present: Retired
2019: Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine
2016: Deputy Commander, Special Operations Command
2014–2016: Director, Special Operations Department, General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
2012–2014: Chief of Staff / Deputy Commander, Airborne Forces Command
2011–2012: Student, National Defense University (Kyiv, Ukraine)
2010–2011: Head of Special Reconnaissance Unit, S-2 Staff, Land Forces
2009–2010: Head of Airborne and Reconnaissance Faculty, Academy of Land Forces (Lviv, Ukraine)
2001–2009: 8th Separate Special Purpose Brigade (Iziaslav / Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine) – Battalion Commander, Deputy Brigade Commander, Brigade Commander
1999–2001: Student, National Defense Academy of Engineering (Kyiv)
1994–1999: 10th Separate Special Purpose Brigade (Pervomaiske, Crimea, Ukraine) – Special Forces Group Commander, Training Platoon Commander, Training Company Commander, Staff Officer / Deputy Battalion Commander
1992–1994: Sergeant, Military Cadet, Land Forces Military Institute (Odesa)
1990–1992: Sergeant, Military Cadet, Infantry Military School (Kyiv)
1988–1990: Separate Reconnaissance Battalion (Desna, Ukraine) – Private, Training Squad; Sergeant, Squad Commander
Military Service: Drafted in December 1988
Education
1990–1994: Infantry Military School / Land Forces Military Institute – Officer, Tactical Reconnaissance Commander
1999–2001: National Defense Academy – Operational-Level Commander
2011–2012: National Defense University – Master’s in Military, Public, and State Administration
Missions and Operations
2003–2004: Iraq – Leader of VIP security team
2014: Anti-Terrorist Operation, Ukraine – Defense of Kramatorsk Airfield, rescue of downed Air Force pilots, MEDEVAC missions, target engagement operations
2015: Creation of a sniper training course for Special Operations based on NATO sniper programs
2016: Establishment of the 142nd Special Operations Training Center based on NATO SOF programs
2017: Anti-Terrorist Operation, Ukraine – Head of Special Operations Section, ATO Headquarters
2018: Joint Forces Operation, Ukraine – Commander of Special Operations Department
2022: Defense of Zhuliany Airport, Kyiv – Commander of Combined Defense Forces
