Ukrainian hero Dmytro Finashin has been appointed Deputy Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Veteran Affairs.

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, has appointed Dmitro Finashyn, a military serviceman and Hero of Ukraine, as his deputy for veteran affairs. The newly appointed official will focus on enhancing the rehabilitation and social support for participants of the Russo-Ukrainian war within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Klymenko announced on Thursday, January 2.

A 30-year-old resident of Vinnytsia with the call sign "Fin" is a veteran of the National Guard. He signed a contract with the National Guard in 2015 and participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and Joint Forces Operation (JFO) starting in 2017.

"Dmitro is a young representative of the warrior community who understands the needs of soldiers and veterans like no one else. He will address issues related to improving rehabilitation, medical and psychological assistance, social support, and employment for combat participants within the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” Klymenko stated.

What is known about Dmitro Finashyn

The serviceman served as a drone operator in a counter-sniper group, and in 2017, he became the deputy commander of an aerial reconnaissance platoon. In June 2021, he decided to become a sniper.

Since the onset of the full-scale war, Dmitro Finashyn fought in Popasna, Luhansk region. In May, during an ambush by the occupiers near the village of Yakovlivka in Donetsk region, he sustained serious injuries and spent two days in a forest belt from which Ukrainian fighters had retreated. On the third day, he was found by a soldier from the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade.

As a result of that battle, Dmitro Finashyn lost an arm. Despite his severe injury and subsequent prosthetics, in June 2023, he was mobilized to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, taking on the role of data analyst for drone systems. That same year, the veteran was included in the "30 Under 30: Creators of the Future" ranking by "Forbes Ukraine."

In October 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded Dmitro Finashyn the title of Hero of Ukraine and presented him with the "Golden Star" order for his personal courage and heroism demonstrated in the defense of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.