Zelenskyy announces changes in Defense Ministry
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced personnel changes at the Ministry of Defense and further steps in the area of security and defense, according to the President's evening address.
"I have just approved the new appointments of Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Ministers. The Ministry of Defense team has launched a phase of very active changes – in just one week, additional contracts have already been signed for drones. This is very important," Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy also reported that an audit of agreements with international partners is ongoing. He stressed that Ukraine has signed hundreds of agreements, and all of them must be implemented.
"Together with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine and the Office team, we discussed the issue of funding our defense, our warriors – we are ensuring resilience," he added.
Report by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine
Zelenskyy said that the Minister of Defense, along with the head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), had briefed him on the current situation. He noted that details remain classified, but added: "We will take some steps – strong steps."
The President also mentioned his communication with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi.
"I spoke with the Commander-in-Chief this morning, and again just now. Updates on the frontline, on our positions, on our activity," he said.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of defending Pokrovsk, calling it the most challenging direction at the moment.
"Pokrovsk remains under our close daily attention. I want to thank every unit defending this direction – the most difficult one at the moment," the President said.
Shmyhal appointed as defense minister
Recently, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian Parliament - ed.) appointed former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal as Ukraine’s new Minister of Defense. His nomination was backed by 267 members of Parliament.
Following the appointment, President Zelenskyy outlined the key priorities for the Defense Ministry under Shmyhal’s leadership.
Yesterday, Shmyhal announced that Ukraine has already signed four contracts worth over 3 billion hryvnias for the supply of drone interceptors capable of countering Russian Shahed-type UAVs.
