Zelensky Tasks New Defense Minister Khmara With Expanding Ukraine’s Deep Strikes

President Volodymyr Zelensky has tasked Ukraine’s newly appointed Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara with expanding the scope of Ukraine’s long-range strikes, strengthening air defense and overhauling defense production, procurement and frontline supply. “I expect the Ministry of Defense to expand the scope of our long-range strikes, to work with Ukrainian weapons manufacturers to provide more capabilities to protect Ukrainian skies, and to work with our partners to strengthen our defensive operations and offensive actions,” Zelensky said in his evening address on Wednesday, Aug. 19.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The push to broaden Ukraine’s deep-strike operations comes amid an intensified aerial campaign by Kyiv. Zelensky said Khmara’s broader mandate is to fundamentally reconfigure Ukraine’s defense system as the country prepares for another winter of war. “My main task for Ukraine’s defense minister in the current circumstances is to genuinely reconfigure our defense system, our production and procurement system, and our system for supplying the troops,” Zelensky said. The president stressed that Ukrainian forces must have everything necessary to repel Russian strikes, hold positions on the front, conduct active operations and deliver strikes against Russia that Moscow will feel. Zelensky pointed to Khmara’s previous service with the Security Service of Ukraine’s Alpha Special Operations Center as evidence that the new defense chief is capable of delivering results rather than promises. Other Topics of Interest Massive Russian Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv Kills 5, Injures 23, Hits Hospital, School and Homes Five people were killed and 23 injured as Russian missiles and drones hit more than 12 locations across Kyiv. “Yevhen Khmara proved through his service at Alpha that he does not make empty promises and knows full well that the occupiers are not defeated with hollow pledges,” Zelensky said. Zelensky also highlighted what he described as strong cooperation between Khmara and Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapaty. “There is already good cooperation between Khmara and Drapaty,” he said. “Ahead of winter, we in Ukraine must be confident – and we will be confident – in our defense and in our positions, as strong as possible.” Khmara’s appointment as defense minister was officially confirmed by the Verkhovna Rada on Wednesday. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.