Yevhen Khmara, Ukraine’s Acting Minister of Defence, has outlined the key priorities on which he plans to focus should he continue to lead the defence ministry. These include — an increase in military personnel’s pay, reform of the TCC and SP, the development of long-range strikes against Russian territory, and the retention of the Ministry of Defence’s key leadership.
Briefly about the main points
- Yevhen Khmara plans to work towards increasing pay for military personnel.
- Among the priorities are reform of the TCC and the development of long-range strikes against the Russian Federation.
- Khmara wants to retain key specialists within the Ministry of Defence team.
- Specifically, this refers to Vyskub and Bannik, who are working on defence procurement reform.
- The Verkhovna Rada is due to consider staffing matters on 19 August.
Khmara wants to increase pay for Ukrainian servicemen
According to the publication’s sources, their plans Yevhen Khmara presented during a meeting with representatives of the «Servant of the People» parliamentary group.
One of the key issues was pay for military personnel. Khmara stated his intention to work towards increasing pay for Ukrainian military personnel.
No specific figures have yet been given regarding the possible increase in pay, the funding mechanism or the timeframe for implementing the initiative.
Reform of the TCC and long-range strikes against Russia
Another of the stated priorities should be Reform of regional recruitment and social support centres.
Details of the forthcoming reforms of the TCC are not currently being disclosed. At the same time, this area remains one of the most sensitive issues for the public within the Defence Forces’ mobilisation and manning system.
According to RBC-Ukraine sources, Khmara plans to pay particular attention to long-range strikes against targets on Russian territory. This involves further developing Ukraine’s capability to carry out strikes over long distances.
There are plans to retain part of the Ministry of Defence team
Khmara also reportedly made it clear to MPs that he does not plan to completely overhaul the defence ministry’s leadership team.
According to RBC-Ukraine, among the people he wishes to retain within the Ministry of Defence are — Vyskub and Bannik, who are working to reform the defence procurement system.
Consequently, in the event of personnel changes within the ministry, some of the projects and reforms already underway may be continued by the current team.
The Verkhovna Rada will consider staffing matters
It is expected that On 19 August, at approximately 12:00, the Verkhovna Rada will move on to considering personnel matters.
It is the parliament which, in accordance with the established procedure, must take the decision on the appointment of the Minister of Defence.
The Ministry of Defence’s final work programme and specific parameters an increase in pay for military personnel may be presented once the Verkhovna Rada has taken its decisions on personnel appointments.
