Russian Invasion The Struggles

Zelensky suggests Shmyhal as new energy minister

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggests that Denys Shmyhal become the country's new energy minister, he writes on X. Shmyhal is the defense minister, but yesterday the president announced that he wants to see another man in the post.

"I am grateful for his (Shmyhal's) systematic work within the defense ministry and for the processes that have been strengthened to ensure the defense of our country," Zelensky writes.

He says that the energy sector is in great need of such an approach. The sector was recently rocked by a major corruption scandal that led to the forced removal of several ministers. At the same time, Ukraine's energy infrastructure is taking great damage from Russian attacks on the country.

Sources: Zelenskyy seeks to sack SBU chief Malyuk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planning to sack Vasyl Malyuk from the position of head of the SBU intelligence service, a source told Politico. The move would be part of ongoing changes within the Ukrainian government.

Malyuk is said to be fighting to keep his post, and Politico’s source warns that a sack would “weaken Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.”

“He was the one who made the SBU an effective special service that carries out unique special operations and gives Ukraine strong “cards” at the negotiating table,” the source says.

Two other intelligence chiefs have recently had their duties changed.

Neither the SBU nor the president’s staff would comment on Politico’s information.