Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the removal of Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov from his position, signaling the need for fresh strategies within the country’s defense apparatus.
Reznikov had overseen the Ministry of Defense since before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
President Zelensky emphasized the necessity for “new approaches” within the defense ministry in his nightly address to the nation.
He has nominated Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine’s State Property Fund, as Reznikov’s successor, stating, “I believe that the ministry needs new approaches and different forms of engagement with both the military and society as a whole.”
Reznikov’s removal coincides with a broader anti-corruption campaign in President Zelensky’s administration, aimed at rooting out corruption within the state—a crucial step in Ukraine’s aspirations to align with Western institutions like the EU.
While Reznikov is not personally accused of corruption, the Ministry of Defense has been embroiled in several procurement scandals related to military equipment and supplies.
Earlier this year, Reznikov’s deputy, Vyacheslav Shapovalov, resigned during one such scandal, fueling speculation about Reznikov’s own precarious position.
