Ukraine's parliament prepares to vote on new defence chief amid military overhaul

Ukrainian lawmakers prepare to vote on Yevhen Khmara as defence minister while the military undergoes internal reorganization amid escalating Russian strikes.
Ukrainian lawmakers are set to vote on Wednesday on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's nomination of former intelligence chief Yevhen Khmara as defence minister. The parliamentary session will also address the confirmation of Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha following weeks of political reshuffling after the dismissal of Mychajlo Fedorov.
Simultaneously, the newly appointed armed forces commander, Mychajlo Drapatyj, has begun restructuring internal military command systems to resolve friction within the leadership hierarchy. The organizational overhaul coincides with intensifying Russian drone and missile attacks targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, fuel depots, and logistics hubs. Former minister Fedorov warned that defensive capabilities must rapidly improve to counter the evolving threat.
Sources: Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Respekt, Seznam Zprávy
Sources
- Seznam Zprávy — Nový šéf ukrajinské armády rozebírá „soukromou“ armádu svého předchůdce
- Hospodářské noviny — Ukrajinská armáda má nového šéfa. Co všechno by se mohlo změnit pod vedením Mychajla Drapatého
- Respect — Zelenskyj navrhl Chmaru na ministra obrany, hlasovat se má ve středu
- Ekonomický deník — Muž z tajné služby má řídit ukrajinskou obranu. Zelenskyj vsadil na Chmaru
- iROZHLAS — Ruské drony pustoší Ukrajinu. ‚Pokud se jim nepostavíme, tak nás rozdrtí,‘ varuje bývalý ministr Fedorov
Earlier coverage
- Oct 18, 2026, 12:30 AM UTCRussian ground advances stall in Ukraine as Moscow targets energy grid
- Oct 14, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCRussian advances stall in Ukraine as Moscow targets energy grid ahead of winter
- Oct 14, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCRussian ground advances stall as Moscow targets Ukrainian energy grid
- Oct 14, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCRussian front-line momentum stalls as Moscow targets Ukrainian energy grid
- Oct 14, 2026, 11:00 AM UTCRussian frontline progress stalls as Moscow targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure
- Oct 14, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCRussian ground advances stall as Moscow targets Ukrainian energy grid
- Oct 14, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCRussian ground forces stall in Ukraine as energy strikes intensify before winter
- Oct 13, 2026, 10:30 PM UTCRussian ground advance stalls as Moscow targets Ukrainian energy grid
- Oct 13, 2026, 08:00 PM UTCRussian ground advance stalls as Moscow targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure
- Oct 13, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCRussian offensive stalls on frontline as grid attacks escalate ahead of winter