Ukrainian parliament to vote on appointing new defense minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has formally nominated former intelligence chief Yevhen Khmara as defense minister, with a parliamentary confirmation vote scheduled for Wednesday. Lawmakers will also vote on confirming Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha following a government reshuffle triggered by the dismissal of former defense minister Mychajlo Fedorov, an action that previously provoked public protests.

Concurrently, newly appointed armed forces commander Mychajlo Drapatyj is overhauling military command arrangements to streamline operations and resolve internal command frictions. The leadership transition coincides with mounting pressure from Russian drone and missile strikes targeting Ukrainian infrastructure, including energy depots and logistical networks. Former defense minister Fedorov warned that Ukraine urgently needs to enhance its interception capabilities, noting that "if we do not stand up to them, they will crush us."

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