Zelensky Names Acting SBU Chief Yevhenii Khmara As Acting Defense Minister

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing Xinhua and Ukrinform, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday, July 16, that after completing the relevant legal procedures, he will seek parliament’s support for Yevhenii Khmara to become Ukraine’s defense minister. Zelensky also said he discussed long-range strikes against Russia and the equipment needed by the security services and defense forces. Ukrainian lawmakers earlier approved the cabinet lineup proposed by new Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi, with 264 votes backing the resignation of the previous cabinet and the appointment of the new one. The approved list did not include the defense minister and foreign minister, whose nominees will be put forward by Zelensky. Ukrinform said Khmara is a Ukrainian military officer with the rank of major general, formerly head of the Security Service of Ukraine’s Alpha special operations center, and has served as acting chief of the agency since January 2026.