Head of National Security and Defense Programs, Kyiv School of Economics
Yevhenii Malik is a defense analyst, former marine infantry sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and veteran of the defense of Mariupol. He currently serves as head of national security and defense programs at the Kyiv School of Economics, where he develops educational initiatives focused on national security, military affairs, and strategic resilience.
His professional expertise combines frontline military experience, analytical research, and public engagement on issues of war, security, and geopolitical risk. Having served in combat operations from 2018 through the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Yevhenii gained first-hand experience in modern warfare, Russian military tactics, operational planning, and battlefield decision-making. Following the fall of Mariupol, he spent nearly two and a half years as a prisoner of war in Russian captivity before being released in a prisoner exchange in 2024.
Drawing on these experiences, he specializes in analyzing military operations, Russian adaptation on the battlefield, information warfare, and the strategic implications of the Russia-Ukraine war for European and transatlantic security. His work focuses on translating complex military realities into accessible assessments for policymakers, academic audiences, media organizations, and the broader public. As an advocate for Ukrainian veterans, Yevhenii regularly participates in international discussions on Russian information warfare, accountability for war crimes, resilience, and democratic security. He is particularly committed to strengthening cooperation between policymakers, researchers, journalists, and civil society in addressing contemporary security challenges, while helping to prepare the next generation of Ukrainians to protect, serve, and develop their country.
In addition to his role at the Kyiv School of Economics, Yevhenii works as an independent defense and geopolitical risk analyst. His analysis and commentary have been featured in major international publications and policy institutions, including the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, the Atlantic Council, and the National Interest. He has also spoken at universities and policy forums across Europe and the United States.
