Newly appointed Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara was discharged from military service under subparagraph "e" of paragraph 3 of Part 5 of Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service."
At the same time, speculation on social media that he was discharged allegedly because of a decision by a military medical commission is untrue, the Defense Ministry told Ukrinform.
"Yevhenii Khmara serves as Ukraine's defense minister as a civilian. The Law of Ukraine 'On National Security of Ukraine' requires that this position be held exclusively by a civilian," the ministry said.
The ministry stressed that Khmara was discharged from military service under subparagraph "e" of paragraph 3 of Part 5 of Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service."
"This provision specifically applies to generals and admirals: if they do not hold an established position and are placed at the disposal of the relevant authority, the law allows such a general to be discharged from military service," the ministry said.
