Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down on Sunday as President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a major Cabinet reshuffle aimed at implementing what he described as an updated political strategy amid the country's ongoing war with Russia.

In a statement posted on social media, Zelensky said he and Svyrydenko had agreed that personnel changes were necessary to advance the government's new priorities.

"We determined that these changes require a renewal of the Cabinet of Ministers," Zelensky said, thanking Svyrydenko for what he described as her "clear, steady, and effective work" during her tenure.

The Ukrainian president said he had offered Svyrydenko a new position involving relations with one of Ukraine's key international partners but did not disclose further details about the role.

Zelensky also announced that changes would extend beyond the Cabinet, saying new appointments would be made among the country's law enforcement leadership as part of the broader restructuring.

Svyrydenko, who became prime minister in July 2025 after serving for nearly four years as deputy prime minister responsible for economic development and trade, expressed gratitude to Zelensky for his confidence in her leadership.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, she said she was honored to have led the government during what she described as one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine's modern history.

"I am grateful to President Zelensky for his trust and for his high assessment of our team's work," Svyrydenko wrote.

She also paid tribute to Ukraine's armed forces, describing them as the foundation of the country's independence, and pledged to continue serving the state in any future capacity.

"I am ready to serve the Ukrainian state and carry out every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine's position, defending our national interests, and bringing a just peace closer," she said.

The announcement came after Zelensky held meetings on Sunday with several Cabinet members and Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has faced frequent Russian drone and missile attacks throughout the conflict.

Zelensky said the government overhaul is intended to align Ukraine's foreign policy and domestic priorities more closely with wartime needs.

"Ukraine is changing its political strategy," he said. "Each priority area of foreign policy will be assigned to a specific person with substantial experience who is capable of implementing what we agree on at the leaders' level and what the Ukrainian people expect."

Among the government's top priorities, Zelensky highlighted the domestic production of Patriot air-defense missiles, describing it as one of the country's most important strategic objectives.

The announcement follows recent agreements allowing Ukraine to cooperate on the production of Patriot missile systems, a capability Kyiv has sought to strengthen its air-defense network against continuing Russian missile and drone attacks.

The Cabinet reshuffle comes as fighting continues across Ukraine.

Overnight from Friday into Saturday, Russia launched another large-scale aerial assault on Kyiv, with Ukrainian officials reporting that six people, including a child, were killed and 29 others injured.

According to Zelensky, Russia launched more than 120 drones and 12 missiles during the attack, approximately half of them ballistic missiles. He said Ukrainian air defenses intercepted most of the incoming targets but were unable to stop the ballistic missiles.

The latest developments underscore Ukraine's continued efforts to strengthen its government and defense capabilities as the war with Russia enters another year. (ILKHA)