Zelensky appoints head of security service to replace dismissed defense minister

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President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Yevhen Chmara, head of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), as acting Minister of Defense. Chmara will temporarily take over the ministry’s duties following the resignation of Mykhailo Fedorov, who held the position for only six months.

Zelensky announced the decision on Thursday and said he would formally seek parliamentary approval later. According to the president, Chmara is to continue the reform of the defense sector and deliver better results for Ukraine in the war against Russia. Zelensky particularly praised Chmara’s experience with technological warfare and long-range operations. The appointment is not yet final. Under Ukrainian law, Chmara cannot simultaneously serve as head of the security service and minister of defense, which means he must first resign from his military post. Only then can the president officially submit his nominee to parliament.

Choice of a trusted figure with military experience

Fedorov was dismissed on Wednesday as part of a cabinet reshuffle. He was regarded as a reformer but also regularly clashed with top generals, who found him difficult to work with. His departure sparked protests in Kyiv and other cities. The reshuffle comes at a sensitive time for Zelensky, who wants to streamline his government while the war continues. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, this is already the fourth time Ukraine has appointed a new defense minister. Chmara, who has headed the SBU since the beginning of this year, is considered a confidant of Zelensky and someone with direct experience in operations against Russian targets. With this appointment, the president has chosen a security official with a distinct military background.

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