Zelenskyy nominates former intelligence head Khmara as Ukraine's defence minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially proposed former intelligence chief Yevhen Khmara as the country's new defence minister, with parliament scheduled to vote on the appointment on Wednesday alongside confirming Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

The leadership reshuffle follows the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov, whose removal sparked public debate. Fedorov has since called for wartime elections, citing a governance crisis and persistent corruption while criticising entrenched military hierarchies. Meanwhile, newly appointed commander-in-chief Mykhailo Drapatyj is reorganising senior military ranks, dismantling patronage structures built under his predecessor.

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