# Ukraine 2026 leadership reshuffle > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ukraine-2026-leadership-reshuffle > Updated: 2026-08-16T23:03:36.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3. In mid‑July 2026 Ukraine removed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and, six days later, Chief of the General Staff Oleksandr Syrskyi. The changes were presented as a shift toward greater reliance on drones and unmanned systems as the battlefield situation improved. A week later, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a sweeping overhaul of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), appointing Brigadier General Oleh Fedorov to lead the Alpha Special Operations Center and naming permanent heads for regional SBU directorates across eight oblasts. He also installed former acting economy minister Oleksii Sobolev as deputy head of the presidential office. The security reshuffle followed earlier moves, including the 22 July appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, succeeding Syrskyi. Together, the series of personnel changes reflect a broad re‑structuring of Ukraine’s military and security leadership amid the ongoing war with Russia, aimed at strengthening technological capabilities and command efficiency. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-16: Ukraine: Zelenskyy nominates new Defense and Foreign Ministers President Zelenskyy has nominated Yevhen Khmara for Minister of Defense and Andriy Sybiha for Foreign Minister, amid political tension and calls for democratic reforms in Ukraine. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-zelenskyy-nominates-new-defense-and-foreign-ministers ### 2026-07-31: Zelensky overhauls Ukraine security service leadership Zelensky appointed Oleh Fedorov to lead SBU's elite Alpha unit, set new regional SBU heads, and made Oleksii Sobolev deputy presidential chief, continuing a wider wartime leadership overhaul. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zelensky-overhauls-ukraine-security-service-leadership ### 2026-07-26: Ukraine Overhauls Military Leadership, Emphasizes Drone Warfare Ukraine has dismissed defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov and chief of staff Oleksandr Syrskyi, shifting command toward drone‑centric tactics amid improving battlefield metrics. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-overhauls-military-leadership-emphasizes-drone-warfare --- Cite as: Ukraine 2026 leadership reshuffle. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ukraine-2026-leadership-reshuffle