Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday confirmed 39-year-old economist Yulia Svyrydenko as prime minister, replacing Denys Shmyhal after his five-year tenure. The Verkhovna Rada backed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s nominee with 262 votes in favour, 22 against and 26 abstentions, marking the country’s first change of head of government since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. Lawmakers also endorsed Svyrydenko’s cabinet in a separate 254-vote ballot. The reshuffle elevates Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov to first deputy prime minister and paves the way for outgoing premier Shmyhal to take over the defence portfolio. Several ministries were merged to streamline economic, environmental and agricultural policy, while Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko shifts to the Justice Ministry. Svyrydenko, previously first deputy prime minister and minister of economy, gained prominence by negotiating a U.S.–Ukraine minerals agreement viewed as critical to sustaining Western support. Addressing legislators, she pledged to secure reliable supplies for the army, ramp up domestic weapons production and deliver economic reforms. She is only the second woman to hold the post of Ukrainian prime minister, and her appointment caps the largest cabinet overhaul of the war era as Kyiv seeks to re-energise its wartime governance and deepen ties with Washington.