Zelenskyy Appoints Evgheniy Khmara as Ukraine's Interim Defense Minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Evgheniy Khmara as the interim Minister of Defense. Khmara, who previously served within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), will be responsible for continuing reforms within the defense sector, according to Zelenskyy's announcement on social media platform X.

Zelenskyy highlighted Khmara's "solid experience" gained during his time with the secret service. The appointment requires parliamentary validation. This move comes after the dismissal of the popular Defense Minister Mihailo Fedorov, who was reportedly in conflict with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi.

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I have tasked Evgheniy Khmara to assume the position of interim minister, to continue the reform in the defense sector.

Explaining the necessity of the change, Zelenskyy stated, "A president during wartime should not have to choose in such a situation." He expressed a strong desire for "unity," noting that the two parties involved had failed to find common ground. Fedorov, in a press conference, had detailed his disagreements with Syrskyi, accusing the general of authoritarianism and resistance to reforms, particularly concerning drone warfare and mobilization practices. Fedorov claimed Syrskyi's approach was incompatible with his own and had requested Syrskyi's dismissal, a request Zelenskyy denied.

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I really want unity. The two sides failed to find it.