Zelenskyy proposes first vice PM for defense minister as high-level reshuffles continue

"I have proposed Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine’s new minister of defense. He is deeply involved in the Drone Line project and has been delivering strong results in the digitalization of public services and processes," Zelenskyy said.

According to him, it is now necessary to implement changes in the defense sector "that will make a real difference."

He clarified that the current Defense Minister, Denys Shmyhal, will remain on the team. The president has offered him another role in public service.

Mykhailo Fedorov

Mykhailo Fedorov was born on January 21, 1991, in the city of Vasylivka, Zaporizhzhia region.

He earned his higher education at Zaporizhzhia National University, graduating from the Faculty of Sociology and Management with a degree in Sociology.

Before entering public service, Fedorov was engaged in entrepreneurial and project activities in the field of digital communications and marketing.

In 2019, he became head of the digital strategy for Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s election campaign, after which he was appointed Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

In this role, Fedorov has been responsible for developing e-government, digital public services, and implementing innovative technologies in the public sector.

In 2023, Mykhailo Fedorov was appointed First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister for Innovation, Education, Science, and Technology of Ukraine.

By July 2025, Fedorov held the position of First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

On January 2, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made several personnel changes. Among them, Kyrylo Budanov was appointed as the new head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Budanov’s previous position at the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine was taken over by the former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleh Ivashchenko.