Ukrainian parliament to vote on Khmara as defence minister amid leadership reshuffle

Ukrainian MPs prepare to vote on Yevhen Khmara as defence minister while new military chief Mychajlo Drapatyj restructures armed forces command.
Ukrainian lawmakers are scheduled to vote on Wednesday on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's nomination of former intelligence chief Yevhen Khmara as defence minister. The parliamentary vote, alongside the confirmation of Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, follows weeks of political tension and public demonstrations triggered by the removal of former defence minister Mychajlo Fedorov.
Simultaneously, newly appointed armed forces commander Mychajlo Drapatyj is initiating internal reorganizations across military command structures. The leadership transition unfolds amid escalating operational challenges, with Fedorov recently warning that advancing Russian drone and missile strikes continue to inflict severe damage on critical national infrastructure and logistics network targets.
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
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- 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