Ukraine prepares for defence leadership vote amid broader military overhaul

Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Aug 20, 2026, 04:00 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-08-20-1600
Ukraine prepares for defence leadership vote amid broader military overhaul
Photo: Seznam Zprávy

Ukraine's parliament is scheduled to vote on Yevhen Khmara as defence minister alongside structural leadership changes across the country's military command.

Ukraine's parliament is scheduled to vote on Wednesday on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's nomination of former intelligence chief Yevhen Khmara as the country's new defence minister. Lawmakers are also expected to vote on the confirmation of Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

The ministerial reshuffle follows the dismissal of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who has since publicly criticised state governance, citing corruption concerns and calling for wartime elections. Simultaneously, newly appointed armed forces commander Mykhailo Drapatyj has initiated restructuring within the military hierarchy, promoting combat commanders and dismantling entrenched command networks established under his predecessor. The coordinated political and military appointments mark a significant recalibration of Kyiv's wartime defence leadership.

Sources: Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

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