--- title: "Beзуgla Predicts Replacement of Ukraine's Defense Minister by Spring 2027" description: "MP Mariana Bezugla predicts that a new Minister of Defense could be appointed in Ukraine by the end of 2026 or in the spring of 2027. She linked this to the frequent rotation of the agency's heads." date: 2026-11-13T08:41:09.608Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/bezugla-predicts-defense-minister-replacement tags: [ukraine, defense-minister, parliament, zelensky, khmara, fedorov] author: "Alexander Buran, Marina Slivenko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Beзуgla Predicts Replacement of Ukraine's Defense Minister by Spring 2027 ![MP Mariana Bezugla during an interview in a studio at a wooden table](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/13/bezugla-prognozirovet-smenu-ministra-oborony/bezugla-prognozirovet-smenu-ministra-oborony-1.webp) ## Key Points - Mariana Bezugla predicts the appointment of a new Defense Minister by the end of 2026 or spring 2027 - During Zelensky's presidency, the Ministry of Defense has had seven ministers, with four in a single year - On August 19, 2026, the Verkhovna Rada supported Yevhen Khmara's candidacy with 312 votes - Mykhailo Fedorov's resignation was accompanied by protests, after which Mykhailo Drapaty became AFU Commander-in-Chief MP Mariana Bezugla, in an interview with the RBC-Ukraine project "Don't Interrupt!" with Volodymyr Kurenny, made a forecast regarding personnel changes in the Ministry of Defense. According to her, a new head of the agency could be appointed in Ukraine by the end of 2026 or in the first half of 2027. Bezugla emphasized that the frequent rotation of defense ministers prevents the system from stabilizing, and expressed hope that the future leader will be a "systemic person" capable of working in the position for a long time. ### Seven Ministers During Zelensky's Presidency Commenting on the personnel instability, Bezugla recalled that during Volodymyr Zelensky's presidency, the Ministry of Defense has been headed by seven different ministers. According to her calculations, the position changed hands four times in just one year. "Regarding the future, I predict that we may have a new Minister of Defense again — by the end of this year or in the spring. I hope it will be a systemic person who will be able to work in the position for a long time," the MP said. In her opinion, this pace prevents the formation of a stable management team and the development of a long-term strategy. ### Khmara: From Acting Head to Civilian Minister The current head of the agency is Yevhen Khmara, who previously served as acting head of the SBU. On August 18, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted a nomination for Khmara as Minister of Defense to the Verkhovna Rada, and the next day parliament supported his candidacy with 312 votes. Before his official appointment, Khmara managed the department for about a month in the status of acting head. After approval, he stated that he had resigned from military service and received civilian status, since, according to him, the Ministry of Defense should be headed by a civilian minister. ### Government Reboot and Fedorov's Resignation Khmara's appointment was preceded by a large-scale reboot of the government formed under Yulia Svyrydenko. During these personnel changes, Mykhailo Fedorov left the post of Defense Minister, and Serhii Koretsky became the new Prime Minister. Fedorov's dismissal from the Ministry of Defense triggered protest rallies in Kyiv and a number of other Ukrainian cities. Rally participants demanded his return to office and also sought the resignation of the then-Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky. Subsequently, the president appointed Mykhailo Drapaty as Commander-in-Chief. ### Fedorov's Position After Resignation After resigning as Defense Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov was offered other government positions, but he declined them. In a video address to Ukrainians, Fedorov announced a "systemic management crisis" in state institutions, pointed out corruption problems, and called for finding ways to hold elections even under wartime conditions. These statements became part of a broader discussion about the state of governance in security structures and what personnel decisions will be made in the coming months. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Безуглая не исключает смену министра обороны к весне](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/bezugla-viklyuchae-zminu-ministra-oboroni-1794558877.html) - Bezugla's interview in the RBC-Ukraine project "Don't Interrupt!": forecast about a new minister by the end of 2026 / spring 2027, seven ministers during Zelensky's presidency, appointment of Khmara on August 18–19, 2026 (312 votes), government reboot, Fedorov's resignation and protests, appointment of Drapaty as Commander-in-Chief. ## FAQ ### Who made the forecast about the change of the defense minister? MP Mariana Bezugla in an interview with the RBC-Ukraine project "Don't Interrupt!" with Volodymyr Kurenny. ### When, according to Bezugla's forecast, could a new defense minister be appointed? By the end of 2026 or in the spring of 2027. ### Who currently heads the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine? Yevhen Khmara, whose candidacy was supported by the Verkhovna Rada with 312 votes the day after the submission was introduced on August 18, 2026. ### How many defense ministers have changed during Zelensky's presidency? According to Bezugla, seven; in one year, the position changed hands four times.