Weapons сome first: Zelenskyy outlines top priorities for new Ukrainian defense minister

One of the main tasks of the new defense minister is interceptor drones. All agreements for the purchase of unmanned aerial vehicles should be finalized this week.

"This week, all available and effective drone interceptors must be contracted. Some contracts have already been signed, while others still require some work," Zelenskyy said.

Another priority is the training of operators of these drones and the entire infrastructure: from production to the use of interceptors.

Another goal is to meet all the needs of the army aviation, Air Force, and other air defense units. In addition, Zelenskyy instructed to increase the use and range of drones to destroy Russian targets.

"Every site in Russia used by Moscow to produce weapons must become reachable by our Defense Forces," the President emphasized.

Shmyhal was instructed to increase the share of Ukrainian weapons in the Armed Forces to 50% within six months.

In addition, Zelenskyy instructed Shmyhal and the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council to audit defense contracts with partners and the terms of their implementation. He expects a report in 10 days.

Government reshuffle

Last week, Ukraine reshuffled its Cabinet of Ministers, with Yulia Svyrydenko replacing Denys Shmyhal as Prime Minister. Shmyhal, in turn, became the head of the Ministry of Defense, and former minister Rustem Umerov was appointed secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

Read more about the changes in the Ukrainian government in the RBC-Ukraine's report.