Ukrainian parliament to vote on new defense and foreign ministers amid military overhaul

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a formal proposal to parliament to appoint former secret service head Yevhen Khmara as the nation's new defense minister. Lawmakers are scheduled to vote on Wednesday on Khmara's appointment alongside the confirmation of Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The political shifts follow public protests triggered by the recent dismissal of former defense chief Mychajlo Fedorov.

Simultaneously, newly appointed armed forces commander Mychajlo Drapatyj is reorganizing internal military command structures to eliminate operational inefficiencies. These internal leadership transitions occur as Russian missile and drone attacks inflict severe damage on key infrastructure, fuel supplies, and logistics across Ukraine. Warning of escalating risks, Fedorov cautioned that "if we do not stand up to them, they will crush us."

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