Reconstruction Minister Mykola Kalashnyk unreachable since 6 November

Reconstruction Minister Mykola Kalashnyk has been unreachable since 6 November. There is a suspicion that he has gone missing. The ministry has made no public mention of this situation. Concerns are arising regarding the official's safety and health, creating a need to urgently declare him missing.

Procedure for searching for a missing minister

Ukrainian legislation provides for the possibility of declaring a minister missing as a person whose whereabouts are unknown. If a person disappears under unexplained circumstances, the police have the authority to initiate search measures. An appeal to the National Police of Ukraine can be submitted by relatives of the missing person, representatives of state bodies, or any other person who has become aware of this fact.

Legal consequences of dereliction of duty

Inaction or the absence of a minister from their workplace may have serious legal consequences. In accordance with Article 45 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine", a minister is personally responsible for the state of affairs in the sphere entrusted to them. They may be held liable for offences, and under certain circumstances, the Verkhovna Rada has the right to dismiss them from their post.

If a minister does not show up for work or ignores instructions, the following measures may be taken:

• political liability;
• dismissal from the post;
• investigation of a possible offence;
• criminal liability, if the elements of a crime are established.

We hope that everything is fine and that he is within the borders of Ukraine.