Liudmyla Mykolaivna Shuhalei (Ukrainian: Людми́ла Микола́ївна Шугале́й; born 21 March 1965) is a Ukrainian major general currently serving as director of the Military Medical Department of the Security Service of Ukraine. She is Ukraine's first military female general and second female general overall (after Tetiana Podashevska of the Militsiya), having been appointed in 2018.
Liudmyla Shuhalei | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Людмила Миколаївна Шугалей |
| Born | 21 March 1965 Chernihiv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Ukraine) |
| Allegiance | Ukraine |
| Service/ | Security Service of Ukraine |
| Years of service | 1995–present |
| Rank | Major general |
| Commands held | Military Medical Department of the Security Service of Ukraine |
| Alma mater | Kyiv Medical University |
Biography edit
Liudmyla Mykolaivna Shuhalei was born on 21 March 1965[1] in the city of Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine (though other sources have incorrectly described her as being from Kyiv). She graduated From Kyiv Medical University (now Bogomolets National Medical University) and worked in the civilian sector before joining the Security Service of Ukraine as a therapist in 1995.[2] Prior to 2014, she was deputy director of the Military Medical Department of the Security Service of Ukraine. At the time, she held the rank of colonel.[3]
Shuhalei was an active participant in Euromaidan, providing medical assistance to protesters injured by security forces. Following the protests, she became director of the Military Medical Department.[4]
On 12 October 2018, Shuhalei was promoted to the rank of major general by decree of Petro Poroshenko, making her the first female military general and the second female general overall in Ukraine's history, after Tetiana Podashevska of the Militsiya.[1] Following her promotion, there were several incorrect reports in Ukrainian media that Shuhalei was the first female Ukrainian general ever. Ukrainian media widely celebrated Shuhalei's promotion,[3] though Poroshenko was subject to some criticism that he had done the move as a political stunt.[5]
Shuhalei continues to be head of the Military Medical Department of the Security Service of Ukraine, as of 2023[update].[6]
References edit
- ^ a b "Наша сучасниця – перша жінка український військовий генерал" [Our modern times: the first female Ukrainian military general]. Last Bastion (in Ukrainian). 15 October 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ Moskvychova, Anastasia; Panasiuk, Vitalii (20 October 2018). "Перша жінка-генерал Людмила Шугалей про службу, Майдан та евакуацію поранених на Донбасі" [First female general Liudmyla Shuhalei on service, the Maidan, and evacuation of casualties from Donbas]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ a b Surepin, Serhiy (15 October 2018). "ЗМІ написали про першу жінку-генерала в Україні. Це неправда" [News media wrote about the first female general in Ukraine - this is incorrect]. Zabarona (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Вперше в історії України жінка отримала генеральське звання" [For the first time in Ukraine's history, a woman has received a general rank]. Militarnyi (in Ukrainian). 14 October 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Women in the Ukrainian army: what are the realities of service". Rubryka. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Військово-медичне управління" [Military Medical Department]. Security Service of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.