--- title: "Ukraine parliament confirms Yevhenii Khmara as defence minister after Fedorov dismissal" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ukraine-parliament-confirms-yevhenii-khmara-as-defence-minister-after-fedorov-di" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/ukraine-parliament-confirms-yevhenii-khmara-as-defence-minister-after-fedorov-di" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ukraine-parliament-confirms-yevhenii-khmara-as-defence-minister-after-fedorov-di.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/ukraine-parliament-confirms-yevhenii-khmara-as-defence-minister-after-fedorov-di" category: "Politics" area: "Ukraine" published: "2026-08-19T13:46:58.521Z" source_reported: "2026-08-19T13:32:01.000Z" updated: "2026-08-19T13:46:58.521Z" trust_score: 80 critic_score: 75 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-19T13:45:20.319279+00:00" --- # Ukraine parliament confirms Yevhenii Khmara as defence minister after Fedorov dismissal *President Zelensky’s nominee approved by 312 votes amid protests over predecessor’s removal and calls for delayed elections* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 80 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 24 digests corroborate the appointment and vote count. - Craft 75 of 100, higher is better. Quotes and figures are separated from comment in full reports. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Headlines are factual and proportionate to the body. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Ukraine’s parliament approved Yevhenii Khmara as defence minister on 19 August 2026, with 312 votes in favour and 2 against. - Khmara, a former SBU intelligence official, replaces Mykhailo Fedorov, whose dismissal sparked protests in multiple cities. - President Zelensky nominated Khmara after appointing him acting minister in July 2026, citing his experience in special operations. - Fedorov, in a video statement, called for elections that have been postponed due to Russia’s invasion. Ukraine’s parliament confirmed Yevhenii Khmara as defence minister on 19 August 2026. The Verkhovna Rada voted 312 in favour and 2 against his appointment, which President Volodymyr Zelensky had proposed. Khmara, previously head of the SBU’s Special Operations Center, had served as acting minister since July 2026 following the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov. Fedorov’s removal triggered protests in several Ukrainian cities. In a video statement released the day before Khmara’s confirmation, Fedorov called for elections, which have been postponed since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Zelensky described Khmara as possessing "unprecedented experience with technological combat operations" when appointing him acting minister. Khmara addressed parliament before the vote, pledging to "defend Ukraine, reduce Russia’s war potential, and force the enemy into a just peace." His official biography states he has been involved in combat operations since 2014, including leading units behind enemy lines during Russia’s 2022 invasion. Little is publicly known about his personal life, and his date and place of birth are omitted from official records. ## Disagreement over vote count The number of votes in favour of Khmara’s appointment is reported as 312 by most outlets, including Dnevni list Danas, Reuters, and The Economic Times. The Sunday Guardian Live, however, reported 321 votes in favour. No outlet provided a breakdown of the discrepancy. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mentioned Fedorov’s video statement calling for elections. The left-rated digests did not report opposition lawmaker Solomiya Bobrovska’s criticism of Khmara’s appointment, as carried by The Economic Times. Only lrytas.lt and Korrespondent.net, both unrated, noted that Khmara had resigned from military service to comply with Ukrainian law. > Ukraine needs more strength. And it will have it. > > — Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine **312** — Votes in favour of Khmara’s appointment (Two votes against, 20 abstentions) ## Who covered it Shares of the 15 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 40% (6) - Centre: 33% (5) - Right: 27% (4) 12 of 27 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-19T13:45:20.319279+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-19T14:01:01.049Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The five left-rated digests led on Khmara’s appointment and the protests that followed Fedorov’s dismissal. Dnevni list Danas, whose full report is printed below, described the protests as a response to Zelensky’s decision to replace Fedorov. It quoted Khmara’s military background, including his role in reorganising the SBU’s Special Operations Center, and noted his promotion to major-general in 2024. - Dnevni list Danas also reported that Khmara’s official biography omits his date and place of birth. The outlet framed the appointment as part of a broader reshuffle that had provoked public backlash. Cumhuriyet and watson, in their digests, similarly highlighted the protests and Khmara’s intelligence background. ### Centre - The five centre-rated digests focused on the parliamentary vote and the political context of Khmara’s appointment. The Economic Times, whose full report is printed below, led on the divisive nature of the reshuffle and Fedorov’s call for elections. It quoted Zelensky’s statement that Ukraine "needs more strength" and Khmara’s pledge to "reduce Russia’s war potential." - The Economic Times also reported opposition lawmaker Solomiya Bobrovska’s criticism of Khmara’s move from the SBU to the defence ministry, calling it a "mistake" but acknowledging his strength as a military leader. Bloomberg and Reuters, in their digests, emphasised the domestic tensions surrounding the reshuffle and Zelensky’s efforts to "defuse" them. ### Right - The three right-rated digests led on Khmara’s background as a secret service official and the public displeasure over Fedorov’s dismissal. n-tv described the dismissal as having caused a "high wave" of discontent in Ukraine. The Times of India framed Khmara’s appointment as part of an effort to address "ongoing tensions" and highlighted his "strategic expertise in intelligence and combat." - Korrespondent.net reported that Khmara announced his resignation from military service during his parliamentary speech. None of the right-rated digests mentioned Fedorov’s call for elections or the protests in detail. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 2 - high: 9 - unknown: 12 - veryHigh: 4 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Deutschlandfunk](https://deutschlandfunk.de/chmara-als-neuer-verteidigungsminister-bestaetigt-neue-korruptionsermittlungen-100.html) — Ukraine - Chmara Confirmed as New Minister of Defence - New Corruption Investigations - [Cumhuriyet](https://cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/ukrayna-da-yeni-savunma-bakani-belli-oldu-khmara-ya-parlamentodan-onay-2530526) — Ukraine Has a New Defense Minister: Khmara Has Received Parliamentary Approval. - [lrytas.lt](https://lrytas.lt/pasaulis/ivykiai/2026/08/19/news/ukrainos-valdzioje-permainos-po-skandalu-virtusiu-sprendimu-ivardinti-nauji-ministrai-43596695) — Changes in Ukrainian Government: New Ministers Named After Scandalous Decisions - [Dnevni list Danas](https://danas.rs/svet/ukrajina-novi-ministar-odbrane-jevgenij-hamara) — Ukraine Has a New Defense Minister: Who Is Yevgeny Hmara? - [iDNES.cz](https://idnes.cz/zpravy/zahranicni/ukrajinsky-parlament-schvalil-navrh-prezidenta-volodymyra-zelenskeho-na-jmenovani-jevhenije-chmary-m.A260819_124623_zahranicni_tbr) — Ukrainian Parliament Confirms Zelensky's Favorite Chmara as Defense Minister, Arrests Made in Presidential Team - [n-tv](https://n-tv.de/politik/Chmara-als-neuer-ukrainischer-Verteidigungsminister-bestaetigt-id31210535.html) — From the Ranks of the Secret Service: Chmara Confirmed as New Ukrainian Defence Minister - [The Sunday Guardian Live](https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/who-is-yevhenii-khmara-meet-the-new-defence-minister-of-ukraine-check-his-age-career-achievements-all-you-need-to-know-264864) — Who is Yevhenii Khmara? Meet the New Defence Minister of Ukraine – Check His Age, Career, Achievements & All You Need to Know - [Akşam](https://aksam.com.tr/dunya/ukrayna-parlamentosu-yeni-savunma-bakani-olarak-yevgeni-khmaranin-atanmasini-onayladi/haber-1691796) — The Ukrainian Parliament Has Approved the Appointment of Yevgeni Khmara as the New Minister of Defense. - [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/ukrayna-parlamentosu-yeni-savunma-bakani-olarak-20158327-haberi) — Khmara Has Been Confirmed as the New Defense Minister of Ukraine. - [watson](https://watson.ch/international/ukraine/204822427-ukraine-geheimdienstler-chmara-wird-neuer-verteidigungsminister) — Kraine: Parliament Confirms Chmara as New Minister of Defence - [Unknown](https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2026/08/19/rada-naznachila-evgeniia-khmaru-ministrom-oborony-ukrainy-news) — Rada Appointed Eugenia Hmara as Ukraine's Minister of Defence — New Europe Gazette - [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/ukraine-mps-approve-new-defence-minister-after-divisive-reshuffle/articleshow/133346955.cms) — Ukraine MPs approve new defence minister after divisive reshuffle - [The Economic Times](https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/ukraine-mps-approve-new-defence-minister-after-divisive-reshuffle/articleshow/133346955.cms) — Ukraine MPs approve new defence minister after divisive reshuffle - [Korrespondent.net](https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/4904288-rada-naznachyla-khmaru-mynystrom-oborony) — Rada Appointed Hmar as Minister of Defence - [unn.ua](https://unn.ua/en/news/the-verkhovna-rada-appointed-yevhenii-khmara-as-minister-of-defense-of-ukraine) — The Verkhovna Rada appointed Yevhenii Khmara as Minister of Defense of Ukraine - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-parliament-approves-yevhenii-khmara-new-defence-minister-2026-08-19) — Ukraine's parliament approves Yevhenii Khmara as new defence minister - [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-19/ukraine-gets-new-defense-chief-as-ex-minister-calls-for-election) — Ukraine Gets New Defense Chief as Ex-Minister Calls for Election - [Apa](https://en.apa.az/europe/ukraines-parliament-approves-yevhenii-khmara-as-new-defence-minister-520894) — Ukraine's parliament approves Yevhenii Khmara as new defence minister - [ANSA](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2026/08/19/parlamento-ucraino-approva-la-nomina-di-yevhenii-khmara-come-nuovo-ministro-difesa_b13c09a3-11df-4882-8502-f91579d1e5a6.html) — Ukrainian Parliament Approves the Appointment of Yevhenii Khmara as New Minister Defense - [Kristeligt Dagblad](https://kristeligt-dagblad.dk/udland/ukraines-parlament-godkender-ny-forsvarsminister) — Ukraine's Parliament Approves New Defense Minister - [tvrain.tv](https://tvrain.tv/news/verhovnaja-rada-naznachila-evgenija-hmaru-glavoj-minoborony-ukrainy-574989) — The Supreme Pleasure Has Appointed Hmar as the Head of the Department of Defense. - [BT](https://bt.dk/udland/ukraines-parlament-godkender-ny-forsvarsminister) — Ukraine's Parliament Approves New Defense Minister - [Gazeta.ua](https://gazeta.ua/articles/politics/_zelenskij-viznachiv-golovne-zavdannya-dlya-sibigi-ta-hmari/1256915) — The Council Put an End: Cloud Was Officially Headed by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine - [Gwara](https://gwaramedia.com/yevgena-hmaru-priznachili-ministrom-oboroni) — Yevhen Khmara Appointed Minister of Defense - [Internazionale](https://internazionale.it/ultime-notizie-reuters/2026/08/19/ukraine-s-parliament-approves-yevhenii-khmara-as-new-defence-minister) — Ukraine’s parliament approves Yevhenii Khmara as new defence minister - [Unknown](https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1194325.html) — Rada approves Khmara as defense minister - [ZN.UA Зеркало недели](https://zn.ua/POLITICS/komitet-verkhovnoj-rady-podderzhal-naznachenie-khmary-na-dolzhnost-ministra-oborony.html) — Hmara ' S Appointment as Minister of Defence Was Supported by the VR Committee ## Questions **Who is Yevhenii Khmara?** Yevhenii Khmara is Ukraine’s new defence minister, approved by parliament on 19 August 2026. He previously served as head of the SBU’s Special Operations Center and as acting minister since July 2026. His official biography states he has been involved in combat operations since 2014. **Why was Mykhailo Fedorov dismissed as defence minister?** Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed as Ukraine’s defence minister in July 2026, sparking protests in several cities. President Zelensky replaced him with Yevhenii Khmara, citing the need for "unprecedented experience in technological combat operations." Fedorov later called for elections in a video statement. **How many votes did Khmara’s appointment receive?** Khmara’s appointment as defence minister was approved by 312 votes in Ukraine’s parliament, with 2 votes against and 20 abstentions. One outlet, The Sunday Guardian Live, reported 321 votes in favour, but this figure was not corroborated by other sources. **What did Khmara say in his parliamentary speech?** Yevhenii Khmara pledged to "defend Ukraine, reduce Russia’s war potential as much as possible, and force the enemy into a just peace" during his parliamentary address. He also announced his resignation from military service to comply with Ukrainian law, as reported by lrytas.lt and Korrespondent.net. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/ukraine-parliament-confirms-yevhenii-khmara-as-defence-minister-after-fedorov-di. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Ukraine parliament confirms Yevhenii Khmara as defence minister after Fedorov dismissal", https://mediabias.news/politics/ukraine-parliament-confirms-yevhenii-khmara-as-defence-minister-after-fedorov-di