Zelenskyy nominates new defense chief as army reshuffles amid heavy Russian drone strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially submitted the nomination of former secret service head Yevhen Khmara as defense minister to parliament, with a vote scheduled for Wednesday alongside Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The nomination follows the dismissal of former defense minister Mychajlo Fedorov, which triggered public protests.

Concurrently, newly appointed military commander Mychajlo Drapatyj is reorganizing army command structures to resolve operational inefficiencies inherited from previous leadership. The structural overhaul coincides with escalating Russian missile and drone strikes targeting Ukrainian infrastructure, including fuel depots and logistics centers. Stressing the necessity of bolstering air 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