Zelenskyy submits Khmara nomination for Ukrainian defence minister as military leadership shifts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted the formal nomination of former secret service head Yevhen Khmara as Defence Minister to parliament, with a vote scheduled for Wednesday, 19 August. The Verkhovna Rada is also set to vote on confirming Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha following recent cabinet restructuring.

The legislative decision follows the dismissal of former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who publicly criticized systemic corruption and described a governance crisis while calling for elections during wartime. Concurrently, newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyj has assumed leadership of the armed forces, succeeding Oleksandr Syrskyj. Drapatyj's appointment comes as military officials undertake measures to address internal command structures and patronage within the ranks.

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