State Energy Chief Koretsky Takes Charge As Ukraine's New Prime Minister

Ukraine's parliament on Thursday approved the appointment of Sergiy Koretsky, the head of state energy company Naftogaz, as the country's new prime minister as part of a major government reshuffle initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The appointment comes at a critical time for Ukraine, which is preparing for another difficult winter amid continued Russian attacks targeting the country's energy infrastructure. Koretsky, 48, has been viewed by Zelensky as a crisis manager capable of handling the challenges facing Ukraine's energy sector and broader wartime administration.

His experience leading Naftogaz, the company responsible for a major part of Ukraine's heating and gas supply system, is expected to help the government prepare for potential disruptions caused by Russian missile and drone strikes. Addressing lawmakers before the vote, Koretsky highlighted his record at Naftogaz and said the company had successfully managed energy supplies despite significant challenges. "We weathered the harshest winter and ensured an uninterrupted supply of gas to Ukrainians, despite significant losses of our own production," he said.

He added that his tenure demonstrated that government administration could be effective even under wartime conditions. Koretsky led Naftogaz during a period when Russian attacks repeatedly damaged Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages and heating disruptions during freezing winter temperatures. His appointment signals the government's focus on strengthening energy resilience as Ukraine anticipates another season of attacks against critical facilities. The prime minister's post became vacant after Yulia Svyrydenko resigned on Tuesday as part of the wider government restructuring.

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Zelensky has offered limited details about the reasons behind the reshuffle, saying only that Ukraine was changing its political strategy in response to "new challenges and new tasks." The move has triggered debate within Ukraine, with some critics questioning the timing and necessity of replacing senior officials during wartime. The reshuffle also sparked public protests after the removal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Demonstrators gathered in several Ukrainian cities on Thursday, calling for his reinstatement and expressing concerns over the dismissal of a minister known for promoting reforms within the military establishment.

The political changes come as Ukraine faces intensified Russian attacks, particularly against civilian infrastructure and energy facilities. Moscow has increased its use of ballistic missiles and drones in recent months, putting additional pressure on Ukraine's defence systems and emergency response capabilities. Kyiv is also working to strengthen its military capacity, including plans to produce US Patriot air-defence missiles domestically.

Koretsky's appointment places him at the centre of Ukraine's efforts to maintain essential services while continuing its defence against Russia's invasion. His success will likely depend on his ability to manage energy security, coordinate with international partners and maintain public confidence during another challenging phase of the war. As Ukraine enters a crucial period, the government's reshuffle and new leadership appointments are expected to face close scrutiny both domestically and internationally.

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