Overview
- Lawmakers approved Mykhailo Fedorov, 34, as defense minister, and he pledged to modernize the force with organizational reform, drones and artificial intelligence.
- Denys Shmyhal was confirmed as first deputy prime minister and energy minister on a second vote, winning 248 ballots after falling short the previous day.
- Fedorov told parliament that roughly 2 million Ukrainians are wanted for draft evasion, about 200,000 troops are AWOL, and the ministry faces a defense budget gap of around 300 billion hryvnias.
- He set immediate priorities that include strengthening air defenses, auditing ministry finances, accelerating digitization, and improving frontline supply.
- In the same session, parliament extended martial law and mobilization until May following an initial delay tied to problems collecting votes within the ruling party.