New Defense Minister Appointed
Ukraine Parliament Approves Khmara as Defense Minister Amid Intensified Conflict and Corruption Probes
Key Points
Drone attack in Kherson hit a civilian bus, resulting in fatalities; Zelensky condemned it as a 'brutal safari' against ordinary citizens and urged international allies to boost military support.
Prisoner exchange: 206 prisoners were swapped, 103 from each side, continuing humanitarian exchanges amid the conflict.
Hours before the vote on Khmara, anti-corruption agencies conducted a large raid targeting members of Zelenskyy’s advisers and lawmakers.
Opposition lawmaker Solomiya Bobrovska criticized moving Khmara from the Security Service to the Defence Ministry, suggesting it could be a mistake despite acknowledging his strengths.
Protests near Kyiv's parliament demanding the reinstatement of Fedorov continued for more than a month as the reshuffle unfolded.
Ukraine's parliament approved Yevhenii Khmara as the country's new defense minister on Thursday, with 312 votes in favor. United 24 Media confirmed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy backed the pick, replacing the dismissed Mykhailo Fedorov after a weeks-long political battle.
Khmara, a veteran of Ukraine's Security Service, pledged to defend the country and strip Russia of its ability to wage war. "There are no safe zones for the enemy," he declared after the vote, according to Economic Times.
A Contested Reshuffle That Lasted Over a Month
The path to Khmara's confirmation was anything but smooth. Protesters gathered outside the Ukrainian parliament for more than a month, demanding Fedorov be reinstated. Economic Times reported Fedorov was dismissed just a day before the vote, adding to the tension surrounding the reshuffle.
Opposition lawmaker Solomiya Bobrovska voiced concern about the move, calling it a potential mistake. She acknowledged Khmara's strengths but questioned whether pulling him from the Security Service to lead the Defence Ministry was the right call at such a critical point in the war.
Anti-Corruption Raids Hit Zelenskyy's Inner Circle Same Day
Hours before parliament voted on Khmara, anti-corruption agencies launched a major raid. Targets included advisers to President Zelenskyy and sitting lawmakers, according to Economic Times. The timing drew attention as Ukraine pushes for deeper integration with the European Union, which requires anti-corruption reforms.
Ukraine's EU membership bid depends heavily on showing progress against corruption. The raids signal that enforcement is active, but critics may question the timing so close to a politically sensitive parliamentary vote.
Drone Strike on Civilian Bus Sparks Calls for More Military Aid
The appointment came as the war intensified on the ground. A Russian drone struck a civilian bus in the Kherson region, killing passengers. Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a "brutal safari" against ordinary Ukrainians. He called on international allies to send more weapons and air defense systems.
Khmara's stated mission aligns with that urgency. He vowed to pursue a "just peace" while dismantling Russia's war machine. Counteroffensive News noted parliament also confirmed a new foreign affairs minister on the same day, signaling a broader effort to reshape Ukraine's wartime leadership.
206 Prisoners Exchanged Amid Ongoing Fighting
Even as fighting continued, Ukraine and Russia completed a prisoner swap. Both sides released 103 troops each, for a total of 206 soldiers exchanged. The deal shows that humanitarian channels remain open despite the wider conflict showing no signs of slowing down, according to Economic Times.
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