Ukrainian parliament to vote on new defense minister amid military restructuring

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially submitted the nomination of former secret service chief Yevhen Khmara to lead the Ministry of Defense, with parliament scheduled to vote on Wednesday. Lawmakers are also set to vote on confirming Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Khmara's nomination follows political unrest and public protests triggered by the recent removal of former defense minister Mychajlo Fedorov.

Concurrently, newly appointed military chief Mychajlo Drapatyj is dismantling command structures established under previous leadership in an effort to resolve operational inefficiencies. These organizational reforms coincide with escalating Russian missile and drone strikes targeting key infrastructure, including fuel depots and postal networks. Emphasizing the urgent need to enhance aerial defense capabilities, Fedorov warned that "if we do not stand up to them, they will crush us."

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