Author’s articles
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has instructed the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Yevhen Khmara, to temporarily take charge of the Ministry of Defence. Once the necessary legal procedures have been completed, the Head of State plans to submit his nomination to the Verkhovna Rada for appointment as minister.
The replacement of Mykhailo Fedorov as Defence Minister came as a great surprise to Andrius Kubilius, the European Commissioner for Defence. He stated that European partners wish to understand the reasons behind this personnel decision and to find out who will be responsible for Ukraine’s defence policy going forward.
The Verkhovna Rada has endorsed the appointment of Serhiy Koretskyi as Prime Minister of Ukraine. 289 members of parliament voted in favour of the decision.
Over the past 24 hours, 279 combat engagements were recorded on the front line. Russian troops were most active in the Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka and Sloviansk sectors.
Another round of automatic extensions to deferrals from mobilisation has begun in Ukraine. The system can renew over 90 per cent of current deferrals without the need for applications, documents or citizens to apply in person.
Andriy Butenko, head of the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance, is said to be the leading candidate for the post of Minister of Education and Science in the new government. No official decision has yet been made regarding his appointment.
The Verkhovna Rada has approved, at first reading, Bill No. 15294, which abolishes criminal liability for the creation and distribution of pornographic content between consenting adults. At the same time, the bill increases penalties for child pornography, coercion and the sexual exploitation of children.
As well as engaging with Vladimir Putin and his inner circle, China is expanding its contacts with members of the Russian political and administrative elite. This is according to an article in *The Wall Street Journal*, which cites sources in both countries and analysts.
Ukraine, together with nine European countries, has announced the formation of an Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition. Its aim will be to develop a joint European missile defence architecture to counter ballistic missile threats.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has submitted draft laws to the Verkhovna Rada to approve decrees extending martial law and general mobilisation. The documents have already been registered with parliament.
The State Agency for Tourism Development, in breach of the law, paid out 853.97 thousand hryvnias in allowances and related payments for the performance of additional duties.
The American Republican senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71. He was one of Ukraine’s most prominent allies in Washington, championed new sanctions against Russia and had direct access to US President Donald Trump.
