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counterpart in Kyiv, on August 24, 2023. — AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky eliminated the defence minister Oleksiy Reznikov and nominated Rustem Umerov, as he stated the ministry required “new approaches” amid intensifying the Russia-Ukraine battle that commenced 18 months in the past in February final 12 months.
The choice comes after there have been a number of studies of rampant corruption within the greater ranks of the ministry and the army officers alongside the slow-moving counteroffensive in opposition to Russia.
The deposed minister Reznikov was very vocal about Western army help and led his nation in negotiations geared toward buying superior weaponry.
Reznikov was given the duties of the ministry simply three months earlier than Russia commenced its particular army operation in opposition to Ukraine.
Oleksiy Reznikov’s alternative was introduced in a video message by Volodymyr Zelensky amid studies of malpractices and sluggish operations in opposition to Russia.
It additionally paves the best way for a serious change in Ukraine’s defence circles.
Final month, with the Russia-Ukraine intensifying President Zelensky dismissed some prime army officers over corruption prices, saying “the system must be headed by those that know concerning the battle”.
He wrote on social media: “We’re dismissing all regional army commissars,” the choice he took after assembly with senior army management.
He added: “This method must be run by individuals who know precisely what battle is and why cynicism and bribery at a time of battle is excessive treason.”
“Oleksiy Reznikov has been by greater than 550 days of full-scale battle,” Zelensky stated Sunday.
“I consider that the ministry wants new approaches and different codecs of interplay with each the army and society at massive.”
He nominated Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar who has been head of the State Property Fund since final 12 months, to switch Reznikov.
“Now Rustem Umerov must be the pinnacle of the [defence] ministry,” Zelensky stated. “I anticipate parliament to assist this candidate.”
Reznikov, a 57-year-old lawyer with little army expertise, has grow to be one of many best-known faces of Kyiv’s battle effort.
Throughout the Russian invasion, Ukraine’s defence ministry has been rocked by some corruption scandals.
In January, Reznikov saved his job however his deputy was compelled to resign after the defence ministry was accused of signing meals contracts at costs two to a few instances greater than present charges for fundamental foodstuffs.
