Ukraine’s president plans to replace his defence minister with the 34-year-old digital transformation chief, citing expertise in drones and digitisation.
KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his intention to replace Ukraine’s defence minister.
In his daily address, Zelensky said he had offered the post to 34-year-old Mykhailo Fedorov, the current minister of digital transformation.
“Mykhailo is deeply involved in issues related to drones and is very effective in the digitalisation of state services and processes,” Zelensky said.
Fedorov, a relative political novice, has held the digital portfolio since 2019.
The president did not explain his decision to replace incumbent Denys Shmygal, who was appointed just six months ago in July 2025.
Zelensky said he had proposed Shmygal “head another area of government work that is no less important for our stability”.
In a separate move, Zelensky named military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov to head the presidential office.
Budanov replaces Andriy Yermak, a formerly powerful figure who was engulfed in a corruption scandal involving some of Zelensky’s former allies.
