Zelenskyy backs new acting defence minister over long-range operations experience and makes no mention of protests in his evening address

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on his decision to appoint Yevhen Khmara as acting Defence Minister, has made no mention of the mobilisation issues he had criticised ex- defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov for. The president also ignored the protests and public calls to bring Fedorov back to the ministry.

Source: Zelenskyy's evening address on 16 July

Quote: "Yevhen Khmara will serve as Acting Minister of Defence of Ukraine. He headed the SSU's Center of Special Operations Alpha, which has achieved the most effective results in eliminating the occupiers on the front. Alpha consistently ranks number one in the monthly results.

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Khmara was responsible for the long-range operations of the Security Service of Ukraine. We agreed that Khmara will also oversee the long-range operations of the Security Forces – this is a priority.