Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday announced a major leadership change in Ukraine’s defence establishment amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. In his daily address broadcast on social media, Zelensky said he plans to restructure the country’s Ministry of Defence and has already offered the top post to Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s 34-year-old Minister of Digital Transformation.
“I have decided to change the structure of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence,” Zelensky said during his address. “I have offered Mikhailo Fedorov the position of new Ukrainian defence minister.”
The development marks another bold step by the Ukrainian leader, who has repeatedly reshuffled top leadership positions since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion to strengthen governance, modernise the military, and tighten control over key institutions.
Fedorov, one of the youngest senior ministers in the Ukrainian government, is widely credited for Ukraine’s rapid technological advancements, including the digitalisation of government services and cyber strategic initiatives during wartime. If appointed, he would become one of the youngest defence ministers in modern history, underscoring Ukraine’s focus on innovation-driven defence strategy.
Further details on the timeline of the leadership change or confirmation of the appointment are yet to be officially released.