Volodymyr Zelensky fires the defense minister involved in a corruption case. Oleksii Reznikov, the Ukrainian president announced in his usual evening speech, will be replaced by Rustem Umerov.
«I decided to replace the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Oleksii Reznikov experienced more than 550 days of large-scale warfare. I believe the ministry needs new approaches and other forms of interaction with both the military and society. Rustem Umerov should now head the ministry. The Verkhovna Rada knows him well and Umerov needs no further introduction. I expect Parliament to support this candidate,” Zelensky said.
Reznikov had been accused of being involved in a case of corruption involving some military supplies at inflated prices and had already been reported as having resigned a few days ago. Now he could be recycled as an ambassador to the UK. Reznikov had always rejected the accusations: according to an investigation carried out by various Ukrainian media, in the autumn of 2022 the Defense Ministry had signed a contract with a Turkish company for the supply of winter uniforms, the price of which tripled after signing .
Rustem Umerov, his replacement, was the head of the State Property Fund.
(Unioneonline/L)
