Kyiv, Ukraine – The Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, witnessed a major political earthquake on Tuesday by approving the dismissal of Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal. This move is part of a major government restructuring plan announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to bolster military capabilities. The plan also aims to protect critical infrastructure in light of escalating Russian missile and drone attacks.
The dismissal of the defense minister: the outcome of six months of war.
265 deputies approved Shmyhal’s resignation from his post, which he had held since July 2025. In his farewell address to the deputies, Shmyhal reviewed the ministry’s achievements under his leadership. He highlighted its success in delivering 2.2 million drones to the armed forces in just six months. This is considered part of the Ukrainian army’s technological transformation plan.
Amendments that will topple bigwigs
The changes weren’t limited to the defense portfolio; they extended to prominent figures in the war cabinet. These changes included the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov, the Minister of Digital Transformation, and Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine. This followed a dramatic vote by the National Security Committee.
Parliament shocks: Shmihal fails in the energy portfolio
In a surprising development reflecting internal tensions within Kyiv’s political circles, parliament failed to approve the appointment of Denys Shmyhal as energy minister and first deputy prime minister. Shmyhal received only 210 votes, falling short of the required minimum of 226. This has created confusion regarding the leadership of the energy sector, which Zelensky is striving to protect against ongoing Russian attacks on the power grid.
