Ukraine prepares vote on defence minister amid military command overhaul

Ukrainian lawmakers are preparing to vote on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's nomination of former intelligence chief Yevhen Khmara as defence minister, alongside the confirmation of Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The parliamentary vote follows the dismissal of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, which triggered rare public demonstrations.

Following his removal, Fedorov publicly condemned wartime corruption and systemic governance problems, arguing that Ukraine should hold national elections despite the ongoing conflict. He also criticised military command practices that sideline successful field commanders.

Concurrently, newly appointed armed forces commander-in-chief Mykhailo Drapatyj has begun overhauling Ukraine's senior military command. Known for his frontline combat leadership dating back to 2014, Drapatyj aims to restructure command hierarchies and dismantle entrenched internal patronage networks.

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