Zelensky announces personnel changes at Ukroboronprom and Umerov’s role after resignation

17 July 2025 07:34

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an evening address that legal procedures have been initiated to renew the government, and the Verkhovna Rada has already supported the resignation of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. Against the backdrop of these changes, fundamentally new approaches to defense management have been adopted – the emphasis will be on strengthening Ukrainian arms production and control over international aid, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports

The President informed that a meeting had been held with the participation of Denys Shmyhal, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Herman Smetanin. First of all, they discussed a new model of defense industry management.

“We agreed on new approaches to defense management. The Ministry of Defense will have more influence on the arms industry, and there should be more Ukrainian weapons – more for our soldiers at the front,” the president emphasized.

According to Zelenskyy, the ministry will also audit all agreements with international partners – both on the supply of weapons under assistance programs and on investments in domestic production.

“In addition, the Ministry of Defense will audit all agreements with our partners. This includes supplies under assistance programs, as well as investments in our Ukrainian weapons production, all our joint projects. We are speeding up everything as much as possible,” he emphasized.

Smetanin to Ukroboronprom, Shmyhal to the Defense Ministry

Zelenskyy said that he had already submitted a motion to the Verkhovna Rada to appoint Denys Shmyhal to a new position as Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Strategic industries will now be coordinated through the Ministry of Defense.

“Today I have already signed the documents to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Denys Shmyhal as the new Minister of Defense. Strategic industries will also be managed through the Ministry of Defense,” the president said.

Herman Smetanin, the former head of Ukroboronprom, has been appointed to lead the state-owned concern in 2023-2025.

“Herman Smetanin will lead Ukroboronprom. The task is very specific and clear. Currently, Ukrainian weapons are used at the front, in all our operations – about 40%. This is much more Ukrainian arms production than ever before since our country’s independence. The volumes are really large. But we need more,” Zelensky emphasized.

Ambitious goal – 50% of Ukrainian weapons at the front

The President outlined a clear goal for the new government – to ensure that in six months half of all weapons at the front are Ukrainian-made.

“We have to reach the level of 50% of Ukrainian weapons in the first six months of the new government’s work by increasing our own production. I am confident that this can be realized, but it is not easy,” Zelensky said.

He also emphasized the importance of moving the fighting to the territory of the aggressor country so that Russian citizens could feel the consequences of the war unleashed by the Kremlin.

“And we need more of our capabilities to push the war to the territory of Russia – to the place where the war was brought from. So that they feel what they have done and what is the price of Putin’s refusal to cease fire and true peace,” the president said.

What will Umerov do after his new appointment?

Regarding Umerov’s future role, the president only briefly outlined it as “assistance on the international track.” According to Zelenskyy, he will be involved in coordinating international agreements and partnership initiatives.

“Rustem Umerov will help, in particular, in all international agreements and coordination,” the president added.

On July 16, the Verkhovna Rada voted to dismiss the government of Denys Shmyhal, who had been heading the Cabinet of Ministers since March 2020. According to the head of the faction, the government worked in extremely difficult conditions and overcame all challenges with dignity.

During the meeting, not only new candidates were presented, but also those who have proven themselves in government positions and will continue to work in the renewed composition.

Cabinet of Ministers update: key appointments

Yulia Svyrydenko will become the new Prime Minister of Ukraine. Her candidacy was proposed by the President and supported by the faction, calling her a professional and skilled leader ready to lead the government at a critical time.
Denys Shmyhal, the previous prime minister, will become Minister of Defense.
Mykhailo Fedorov will retain his position as Minister of Digital Transformation and become First Deputy Prime Minister.
Taras Kachka will become Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
Herman Halushchenko will head the Ministry of Justice, and Svitlana Hrynchuk, the current Minister of Environmental Protection, will take his place in the Ministry of Energy.
Oleksiy Sobolev will become Minister of Economy, and Denys Uliutin will head the unified Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine.