Overview
- The Verkhovna Rada lacked the support to even put Mykhailo Fedorov’s nomination for defense minister to a vote.
- Fedorov, 34, previously led the Digitalisation Ministry and would have been the fourth defense minister since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
- Lawmakers failed to confirm Denys Shmyhal as energy minister by 16 votes, leaving a post vacant since a November resignation tied to a corruption scandal as Russian strikes have caused prolonged power and heat outages in severe cold.
- A renewed confirmation attempt is expected on Wednesday, according to local reporting.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyj dismissed SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk despite objections from senior military figures after the parliament’s defense committee approved the move on its second try.