Yevhen Khmara has been appointed acting Minister of Defence: a decision by the Cabinet of Ministers
This is set out in Cabinet of Ministers Order No. 723-r.
What the Cabinet of Ministers has decided
The government adopted the decree temporarily assigning the duties of Minister of Defence to Khmara on 17 July. The document came into force on 20 July 2026.
“To temporarily assign the duties of Minister of Defence of Ukraine to Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Yevhen Leonidovych Khmara,” the decree states.
The document was signed by Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi.
By a previous decree No. 722-r, the Cabinet of Ministers had appointed Khmara as Deputy Minister of Defence. Following this, the government was able to officially confer upon him the powers of the head of the ministry.
Khmara has been granted the status of acting minister, rather than that of a full minister. The appointment of a Minister of Defence requires a vote by the Verkhovna Rada on a candidate nominated by the President.
Why was Khmara transferred to the Ministry of Defence?
Back on 16 July, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Yevhen Khmara would be performing the duties of Minister of Defence. The President explained his decision by citing Khmara’s experience in conducting special and long-range operations.
Zelenskyy also highlighted the achievements of the SBU’s Special Operations Centre ‘A’, which Khmara had headed. According to the President, this experience should be utilised to support combat units, develop long-range capabilities and strengthen internal security within the Defence Forces.
“The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine will continue all work in support of the combat brigades,” Zelenskyy stated in an address on 16 July.
The President also announced that, once the necessary legal procedures have been completed, he may submit a proposal to the Verkhovna Rada to appoint Khmara as Minister of Defence. No vote on this matter has yet taken place in parliament.
What positions has Yevhen Khmara previously held?
Yevhen Khmara is a Major General and a career officer in the Security Service of Ukraine. Since 2011, he has served in Special Operations Centre ‘A’, known as the ‘Alpha’ special forces unit.
In 2023, Khmara took charge of the SBU’s Centre for Special Operations to Combat Terrorism. In June 2024, the President conferred upon him the military rank of Major General.
In August 2025, Khmara was appointed head of the SBU’s Special Operations Centre ‘A’. From 5 January 2026, he served as acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine.
On 17 July, Zelenskyy relieved Khmara of his leadership of the SBU and, by a separate decree, dismissed him from his post as head of Special Operations Centre ‘A’. Khmara subsequently moved to work at the Ministry of Defence.
Following a similar procedure, the government temporarily entrusted the duties of Minister for Foreign Affairs to Andriy Sibiga. He was initially appointed First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and was subsequently tasked with leading the ministry.
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