Oleksandr Olifirov is CIVIC’s Military Engagement Officer in Ukraine. He joined CIVIC in April 2020 following a long career in the Armed Forces, where he served from 1988 to 2020 and retired with the rank of Colonel.

Over the course of his military career, Oleksandr developed extensive experience in military education and training. He spent 21 years working within the Armed Forces’ educational system, progressing from instructor to Head of Department and he also holds a PhD.

His work focused particularly on preparing military personnel for participation in international operations under the auspices of the United Nations and NATO, including training related to the protection of civilians in both combat and peacekeeping environments. He has also served on numerous occasions as a guest instructor at international peacekeeping centres.

At CIVIC, Oleksandr works closely with military and security actors to strengthen policies and practices that help prevent and mitigate civilian harm. His responsibilities include establishing and maintaining relationships with security-force counterparts, supporting coordination and planning, and developing practical training scenarios tailored to different audiences and operational contexts. He also delivers training on civilian harm tracking and mitigation and supports efforts to strengthen civil-military dialogue.

In addition, Oleksandr contributes to CIVIC’s research and provides technical expertise drawing on his extensive military, instructional, and peacekeeping experience.