Ukrainian parliament prepares to vote on defence minister amid military overhaul

Ukrainian lawmakers are scheduled to vote on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's nomination of former intelligence chief Yevhen Khmara as the new defence minister, alongside the confirmation of Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

The parliamentary vote follows the dismissal of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that triggered public demonstrations. Fedorov subsequently criticised systemic governance issues, wartime corruption, and military command practices, while calling for national elections during the conflict.

Concurrently, newly appointed armed forces commander-in-chief Mykhailo Drapatyj has begun overhauling Ukraine's senior military hierarchy. Known for frontline command experience dating back to 2014, Drapatyj is reorganising operational leadership to dismantle internal patronage networks and promote successful combat officers.

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