Ukraine's parliament to vote on appointing intelligence chief as defence minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a proposal to parliament to appoint former intelligence chief Yevhen Khmara as defence minister, with a confirmation vote scheduled for Wednesday. Lawmakers are also set to vote on confirming Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha following a political reshuffle sparked by the dismissal of former defence minister Mychajlo Fedorov.

Concurrently, newly designated armed forces commander Mychajlo Drapatyj is overhauling military command arrangements to streamline operations and resolve internal operational frictions. The leadership transition unfolds as Russian forces intensify drone and missile strikes targeting critical Ukrainian infrastructure, including energy depots and logistical facilities. Highlighting the critical situation, Fedorov warned that "if we do not stand up to them, they will crush us."

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