Updated 3:23 p.m. Moscow Time
KIEV, October 15 (RIA Novosti) – Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Valeriy Heletei has been appointed head of the State Security Administration, a law-enforcement body providing security to state institutions and officials.
"I have already signed a decree and Col. Gen. Valeriy Heletei has been appointed head of the State Security Administration," Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Wednesday.
Last week, Poroshenko accepted Heletei's resignation from his post as the country's defense minister. On Tuesday, the Ukrainian parliament voted in favor of relieving Heletei of his duties.
On the same day, ex-National Guard Commander Stepan Poltorak was appointed to the post of Ukraine's defense mister.
Heletei came under heavy criticism over Kiev's military failures in the east of the country, including the disastrous battle for Ilovaisk, in which at least 200 servicemen died after they were encircled by self-defense forces.
The State Security Administration of Ukraine (or the Administration of State Guard of Ukraine) is the country's law enforcement agency. It was established in 1992, and is controlled by Verkhovna Rada and the President of Ukraine. It is responsible for ensuring the security of officials and guarding buildings or monuments identified by law.
