Ukraine's Air Force Gets New Deputy Commander: The Profile of Pavlo Yelizarov.

Pavlo Yelizarov's Appointment

According to Novyny.live: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Pavlo Yelizarov as the new Deputy Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This move highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen the nation's military command structure amid the ongoing conflict.

Background and Career of Pavlo Yelizarov

Pavlo Yelizarov was born in 1968 in Chisinau. He brings extensive public administration experience to his new military role. His government service includes a term as Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of Ukraine from 2007 to 2008, followed by a period as Deputy Head of the State Agency of Automobile Roads of Ukraine from September 2009 to April 2010.

Yelizarov completed his studies at the National Defence University of Ukraine in 2025, underscoring his formal military education. Demonstrating his commitment from the war's outset, he joined the Territorial Defence forces on February 24, 2022.

His combat record is notable. In December 2025, forces under his command successfully destroyed significant amounts of enemy equipment, including:

• 364 artillery pieces
• 12 enemy multiple rocket launcher systems

In total, the enemy hardware eliminated under his leadership is valued at over $13 billion. This appointment comes as Ukraine continues to adapt its air defenses to counter persistent aerial threats, including drones and missiles. With this appointment, the Ukrainian military gains a seasoned leader whose background in logistics and proven combat effectiveness could significantly impact the development of the country's air defense capabilities.

The selection of Yelizarov is seen as a step to bolster Ukraine's defensive posture, particularly in the critical domain of air power, as the nation faces continued security challenges.