Historic vote: transition from acting to minister
On August 19, 2026, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine completed the process of personnel changes in the defense ministry, approving Yevhen Yarmak for the position of Minister of Defense. 312 people's deputies voted for the appointment, ensuring the necessary support to legitimize the new leadership. This decision became the final note of a large-scale political reform initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July of this year, which led to a complete reshuffle of the Cabinet of Ministers.
President Zelenskyy submitted Yarmak's candidacy to parliament on the eve of the session. An important moment during the debates was Yarmak's own statement, in which he officially confirmed his status as a civilian. "I stand before you as a civilian. Discharged in accordance with the Law of Ukraine on Military Duty and Military Service, Article 26," he emphasized, thereby resolving questions about conflicts of interest between military service and a civilian position.
New Minister's Strategy: Seizing the Initiative
In his address to parliament, Yevhen Yarmak outlined the key priorities of his work. He stated that Ukraine must seize the strategic initiative in the war, focusing on the development of its own weaponry and expanding the capabilities for long-range strikes. This approach reflects the current phase of the conflict, where the ability to strike at the enemy's rear has become a critical factor.
Yarmak, who previously headed the ministry in the status of acting minister, has now received a mandate to implement long-term plans. His appointment is seen as a signal of Kyiv's intention to move from tactical defense to more active actions, relying on the experience of intelligence services and special forces.
Fedorov's Resignation and Political Consequences
Yarmak's appointment was a consequence of the resignation of the previous Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov. Personnel changes provoked an ambiguous reaction in society: after Fedorov's dismissal, protest rallies in his support took place. The former minister himself, despite offers to move to other managerial positions, stated that he was ready to return to power only as the head of the Ministry of Defense.
However, sources in the president's team report that Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not intend to make concessions on this issue. The administration believes that rallies in support of Fedorov will soon subside, and the story with the Minister of Defense should be closed with Yarmak's arrival. This decision underscores the tough stance of the country's leadership regarding the management of the military department.
Biography of the new minister: from special forces to the Cabinet of Ministers
Yevhen Yarmak is a professional military man and a veteran of combat operations. Since 2011, he served in the Center for Special Operations "A" of the SBU, and in 2023 he headed this unit. His combat path includes participation in battles for Kyiv region and Donbas, as well as personal leadership of the special operation to de-occupy Snake Island.
Yarmak also participated in Operation "Spiderweb" and the organization of drone strikes on military objects in the rear of the Russian Federation. According to sources, under his leadership, the CSO "A" destroyed Russian equipment worth more than $5.5 billion, including more than 1,800 tanks. He is a recipient of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, awarded the Order "For Courage" of the III degree and the "Cross of Military Merit".
Contradictory data
There are differences in versions regarding the reasons for Mykhailo Fedorov's resignation. The official position of the authorities links this to the need to update the team and improve the efficiency of managing the defense ministry. However, opposition sources and part of the public point to possible internal disagreements and political intrigues as the real reasons for personnel changes. These contradictions have not yet been resolved and remain a subject of discussion in Ukrainian society.
