Ukraine’s New Defense Minister Urges Asymmetric War

Ukraine cannot match Russia “punch for punch” but must use its resources carefully and act asymmetrically, acting Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara said in an interview with US blogger Laura Loomer.

Khmara, the former head of the SBU security service, replaced Mykhailo Fedorov after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed him as defense minister, citing clashes with then commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was subsequently removed.

According to Khmara, Ukraine’s deep strikes are intended to impose far greater costs on Russia than they require to carry out. Attacks on oil infrastructure have already caused fuel shortages across Russian regions, while Ukrainian forces have slowed Russia’s advance along the front line.

Khmara said he hoped relations with the United States would develop into a lasting strategic partnership and stressed that Ukraine must be able to produce Patriot interceptor missiles.

US President Donald Trump said earlier this month that Washington would grant Ukraine a license to manufacture the interceptors. He and Zelensky discussed reviving peace talks with Russia and Ukrainian missile production on Tuesday.

(Reuters, Max)