Zelensky offers Fedorov to become defense minister
Mykhailo Fedorov (Photo: Valentyna Polishchuk/LIGA.net)

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered the post of Defense Minister to the current head of the Ministry of Digital Transformation , Mykhailo Fedorov. He said this in his evening video address.

"I decided to change the format of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. I proposed Mykhailo Fedorov to become the new Minister of Defense. Mykhailo is deeply involved in the drone line, works very effectively in the digitalization of public services and processes," Zelenskyy said .

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He noted that it is necessary to implement "such changes that will help" together with the military, command, national arms manufacturers and partners .

The President emphasized that the current Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal "remains in the team of Ukraine" – he offered him to head another direction in state work, "no less important for our resilience.".

He noted that as of December 2025, the order to produce more than 1,000 interceptor drones per day had been fulfilled. Work is currently underway to increase the number of trained crews. Zelenskyy is convinced that Fedorov will be able to implement all this "and add manufacturability.".

"Tomorrow we will continue the changes, there will be more decisions," Zelensky added.

  • Also today, January 2, President appointed Budanov as head of the Presidential Office and Ivashchenko, who headed the Foreign Intelligence Service, as the new head of the GUR.
  • According to sources LIGA.net , after Yermak's dismissal from the presidential office, Zelensky considered for this position, including Fedorov.
mikhail Fedorovdefense ministerassignment