Parliament supports Shmyhal’s dismissal from Ministry of Defence

The Verkhovna Rada dismissed Denys Shmyhal from the post of Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

This was reported by Censor.NET.

What is known?

The decision was supported by 265 MPs.

Shmyhal had held the position of Minister of Defence since 17 July 2025.

Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy planned to dismiss SSU head Vasyl Maliuk and appoint him to other positions.
Sources at Censor.NET in government circles said that there are currently attempts to remove Maliuk from his position as head of the SSU, but this issue has not yet been resolved.
The military, MPs and activists have spoken out in support of Maliuk.
Zelenskyy met with Maliuk and suggested that he focus on combat work in the SSU.
Later, Maliuk confirmed that he was stepping down as head of the SSU.
It was later announced that Yevhen Khmara, head of the SSU's Special Operations Centre "A", would temporarily take over as head of the Security Service of Ukraine.
On 2 January 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered Kyrylo Budanov, head of the DIU of the Ministry of Defence, to take over as head of the Office of the President. The decision was motivated by the need to strengthen the state's focus on security issues, the development of the Armed Forces, and diplomatic negotiations.
Budanov subsequently accepted Zelenskyy's offer and took charge of the Office of the President of Ukraine, describing his new position as another milestone of responsibility to the state at a historic time for the country.
On 2 January, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov the position of Minister of Defence of Ukraine.
The President offered Shmyhal the position of Minister of Energy.