Ukrainian Parliament Unanimously Approves Yevhenii Khmara as Defense Minister
The Verkhovna Rada has officially confirmed Yevhenii Khmara as Ukraine's defense minister. The parliamentary defense committee unanimously supported the nomination, leading to a final vote where 312 lawmakers approved the appointment. Khmara, a former top Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) officer and major general, previously served as the acting head of the agency and commanded the Alpha Special Operations Center. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Khmara as acting defense minister on July 16, following the removal of Mykhailo Fedorov. The decision effectively ends the possibility of Mykhailo Fedorov returning to the previous post, as he insisted on returning to the defense ministry specifically. While protesters have gathered to demonstrate against the vote, the administration's choice of Khmara reflects a focus on technological strike operations and long-range capabilities. Khmara's background in drone strikes and the liberating of Snake Island highlights his experience in the leadership of Ukraine's defense during the ongoing conflict with Russia.