Ukraine's ex-defense chief Shmyhal takes over Energy Ministry

Thus, for the second time, the Verkhovna Rada was able to appoint Shmyhal as Minister of Energy. During the first vote, which took place yesterday, his candidacy did not receive sufficient support - only 210 MPs voted for his appointment.

How MPs voted

Thus, 246 MPs voted in favor, 2 against, 20 abstained, and 33 did not vote.

Shmyhal's transition from Defense Ministry

On January 2, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed Mykhailo Fedorov for the position of Minister of Defense and Shmyhal for the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy. The next day, both ministers wrote letters of resignation.

According to sources at RBC-Ukraine, Shmyhal delicately declined the first offer to head the Ministry of Energy, as he had only just started working at the Ministry of Defense and did not want to take on a problematic department right away.

As a result, after a second day of negotiations, he was offered to combine the Ministry of Energy with the position of first Deputy Prime Minister, to which Shmyhal agreed, formally becoming the second most powerful person in the government.

Shmyhal headed Energy Ministry amid massive Russian attacks

On January 3, the President announced that he had consulted with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on the appointment of Shmyhal as first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy.

The head of state notes that he thanked Shmyhal for his systematic work in the Ministry of Defense and for activating processes to protect Ukraine, and stressed that the same systematic approach is needed for the energy sector. It will help to quickly restore facilities after Russian strikes and ensure the stable development of the industry.

Before Shmyhal's appointment, Artem Nekrasov temporarily headed the Ministry of Energy. Former Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk may be linked to the large-scale corruption case, which is being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) regarding corruption in the energy sector.

Personnel changes in Ukraine's government

In early 2026, Zelenskyy initiated large-scale personnel changes at the top of the government. One of the key changes was the replacement of Andrii Yermak with Kyrylo Budanov as head of the President's Office.

Oleh Ivashchenko, who headed the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, became the new head of the Defense Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine.

On January 5, the President of Ukraine met with Vasyl Malyuk, who resigned as head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) but will remain in the system to carry out world-class asymmetric special operations.

The next day, Zelenskyy appointed Yevhen Khmara as acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine.

In addition, the leadership of the State Border Service was updated: Valerii Vavrynyuk became acting head. The president also changed the leadership in a number of regional military administrations.

The head of state explained the personnel changes as part of the state's preparation for any developments in the war. He stressed that Ukraine is close to a diplomatic outcome but must be prepared for a scenario in which Russia blocks the negotiations.

He added that after the government reshuffle, a thorough overhaul of the defense sector and the Armed Forces is planned, but first, it is necessary to ensure that all state institutions are working effectively and in a coordinated manner.

Denys Shmyhal previously headed the Ukrainian government (2020-2025). He served longer than any of his predecessors. His term coincided with a difficult period: first, the coronavirus pandemic, and then Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

On July 16 last year, the Verkhovna Rada accepted his resignation from the post of prime minister and the entire Cabinet of Ministers, and the next day appointed him Minister of Defense instead of Rustem Umerov, who headed the National Security and Defense Council.