Ukraine's parliament set to vote on new defense minister candidate

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has formally nominated Yevhen Khmara, former head of the secret service, as minister of defense, with parliament scheduled to vote on Wednesday. Lawmakers will concurrently vote on confirming Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Khmara’s nomination follows political turbulence and public protests sparked by the recent dismissal of former defense minister Mychajlo Fedorov.

Simultaneously, newly appointed military chief Mychajlo Drapatyj is reorganizing army command structures established under previous leadership to resolve operational inefficiencies. These structural shifts coincide with escalating Russian missile and drone attacks targeting crucial civilian infrastructure, including postal centers and fuel depots. Highlighting the critical need for strengthened air defenses, Fedorov warned that "if we do not stand up to them, they will crush us."

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