Zelensky appoints head of Security Service as acting Ukraine's defence minister

Khmara was appointed earlier this year to the post of incumbent Ukrainian Security Service leader (SBU), but under Ukrainian law he cannot hold the task of defence minister simultaneously.

He is expected to leave military service in the coming days, paving the way for Zelensky to ask parliament for his official appointment at the head of the Ministry of Defence.

“I have commissioned Yevheni Khrmaran to serve as minister in office, continuing reforms in the defence sector and ensuring Ukraine achieves all the results we agreed on”, wrote Zelensky on Facebook.

He added that Khmara has gained a broad experience and, in many ways, unprecedented in technology-based combat operations.

“Exactly here should our defence efforts focus during this fight”Ukrainian president said.

Zelensky fired former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on Wednesday as part of a cabinet reshuffle. The 35-year-old had remained on the job for only six months.

During efforts to modernise the Ukrainian military, Fedorov also clashed with senior army generals, who claimed co-operation with him was difficult. /Panorama