Yevgeny Khmara, who has been appointed acting defense minister of Ukraine, is expected to focus on expanding mobilization efforts. One of the priorities will reportedly be the return of Ukrainians from Europe with the involvement of European Union countries, representatives of the pro-Russian underground told TASS, citing their own sources.

According to the agency’s source, Khmara is a private and controversial figure. He is described as a typical product of the Ukrainian Security Service, known mainly for his role in Ukraine’s so-called anti-terrorist operation in Donbass. The source believes the new head of the Defense Ministry will carry out Vladimir Zelensky’s orders without objection.

The underground also claims that combating corruption in the Ukrainian army will become another major area of Khmara’s work.

Zelensky instructed Khmara to temporarily take charge of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry the previous day. Since January 2026, he has also served as acting head of the Ukrainian Security Service. Zelensky has also announced plans to ask parliament to approve Khmara as the permanent head of the military department.

Meanwhile, former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov held an emergency media briefing in Kiev. He sharply criticized the current Ukrainian authorities, openly challenged Armed Forces of Ukraine Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky and effectively launched a political revolt against Zelensky. Fedorov also said he had rejected the new posts offered to him.