Zelensky formally taps Khmara as defense minister, ruling out Fedorov's return

Editor's note: The story has been updated with the latest details.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Aug. 18 formally nominated acting Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara, a former top Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) officer, to serve as minister in full capacity.

Zelensky also nominated Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who served in his role in an acting capacity since the July government reshuffle, to again formally take up the post, according to lawmakers.

The decision on the new defense minister has been closely watched, as the firing of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov during a chaotic government reshuffle sparked nationwide protests.

Both nominations must now be approved by the parliament, which returned from its summer recess on Aug. 18.

A Ukrainian official confirmed for the Kyiv Independent that Zelensky nominated Khmara and Sybiha, but noted it remains unclear when the final voting will take place. According to lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak, the confirmation votes should happen on Aug. 19.

"The parliament will consider the submission in the near future in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine and established parliamentary procedure," Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said.

Protesters gathered once again near the parliament building earlier on Aug. 18, calling for the reinstatement of Fedorov — a move the president refuses to make. Fedorov was regarded as one of the most popular cabinet members, praised for his reforms and efforts to expand Ukraine's drone capabilities.

Khmara is an SBU veteran who previously commanded the agency's Alpha Special Operations Center, overseeing Ukraine's campaign of long-range drone strikes against Russia.

He also led the operation to liberate Snake Island in 2022 and was appointed as the acting head of the agency in January 2026 after Vasyl Maliuk stepped down.

Zelensky previously said that Khmara had gained "extensive and, in many ways, unprecedented experience" in conducting technological strike operations, adding that Ukraine's defense should focus on developing long-range capabilities, a key area that Fedorov pushed during his tenure.

Khmara holds the rank of major general and has never served in government before his appointment as acting minister. Under Ukrainian law, military officers must formally leave service before assuming the ministerial position on a permanent basis.

According to Zhelezniak, Khmara assured lawmakers that all the necessary paperwork for his dismissal is ready and the process would be complete before the vote on his appointment.

While Zelensky rejected calls to reinstate Fedorov, he eventually conceded to protesters' demand to dismiss Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, replacing him with General Mykhailo Drapatyi, a respected military leader.

Syrskyi's alleged conflict with Fedorov was the main reason Zelensky cited for the latter's dismissal.

Fedorov's future remains uncertain. The president said on July 21 he had offered the ex-minister "a prominent position in the government" focused on strengthening Ukraine's technological sector.

According to a person close to Zelensky, the proposal envisioned either making Fedorov a deputy prime minister for military innovations or appointing him to lead Ukroboronprom, Ukraine's state-owned defense conglomerate.

Fedorov has rejected those options, making clear that he wants to return only as defense minister.