The Cabinet of Ministers, with the approval of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, appointed Evgeniy Khmara as Acting Minister of Defence of Ukraine.
Earlier, the President instructed Evgeniy Khmara to continue reforming the defense sector and ensure the conduct of technology-enabled strike operations against russia as part of Ukraine's defense strategy.
The President also emphasized the need to implement all ongoing programs to develop and strengthen the Defence Forces of Ukraine, including direct funding for combat brigades, the fair distribution of personnel, maximizing the supply of all types of drones, and the rapid implementation of agreements with partners.
According to Khmara’s official biography released by the Security Service of Ukraine, he has served within the agency’s structure for nearly 15 years.
At the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he took part in the liberation of the Kyiv region, and after its de-occupation he was deployed to the Donetsk region. Khmara was also involved in the operation to liberate Snake Island in the summer of 2022.
He described the operation as “one of the landmark victories over the enemy” from military, economic, and psychological perspectives.
Khmara has repeatedly spoken about his direct involvement in special operations alongside Alpha special forces personnel.
In 2023, Khmara became the head of the SBU’s elite “A” special operations unit, known as Alpha, and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general that same year.
On June 23, 2024, he was promoted to the rank of major general.
Since January 5, 2026, Khmara has been serving as Acting Head of the Security Service of Ukraine following the resignation of Vasyl Maliuk.
Currently, Khmara is a full holder of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi and has also been awarded the Order “For Courage” III Class and the Ukrainian Presidential distinction “Cross of Military Merit.”
