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Ukraine to replace defense minister after corruption scandals
Ukraine to replace defense minister after corruption scandals
Ania Tsoukanova with Linda Abi Assi in Bakhmut,
Agence France-Presse
Published Feb 06, 2023 10:00 AM PHT

KYIV — Ukraine's defense minister Oleksiy Reznikov will be replaced by the chief of the military intelligence ahead of an expected Russian offensive and following corruption scandals, a senior lawmaker said Sunday.
KYIV — Ukraine's defense minister Oleksiy Reznikov will be replaced by the chief of the military intelligence ahead of an expected Russian offensive and following corruption scandals, a senior lawmaker said Sunday.
"We are preparing decisions and negotiations that should strengthen our soldiers, give Ukraine more international support and more weapons," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address without elaborating.
"We are preparing decisions and negotiations that should strengthen our soldiers, give Ukraine more international support and more weapons," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address without elaborating.
Zelensky said this week he wanted talks on Ukraine's membership in the EU to begin this year, stepping up the fight against corruption.
Zelensky said this week he wanted talks on Ukraine's membership in the EU to begin this year, stepping up the fight against corruption.
A senior lawmaker close to Zelensky said later Sunday that 56-year-old Reznikov, one of the best-known faces of the country's war effort, would be replaced.
A senior lawmaker close to Zelensky said later Sunday that 56-year-old Reznikov, one of the best-known faces of the country's war effort, would be replaced.
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"Kyrylo Budanov will head the defense ministry, which is absolutely logical in wartime," said lawmaker David Arakhamia, referring to the 37-year-old chief of the military intelligence.
"Kyrylo Budanov will head the defense ministry, which is absolutely logical in wartime," said lawmaker David Arakhamia, referring to the 37-year-old chief of the military intelligence.
Holding the rank of major general, Budanov has headed the military intelligence since August, 2020.
Holding the rank of major general, Budanov has headed the military intelligence since August, 2020.
'WAR DICTATES POLICIES'
Reznikov will be appointed minister for strategic industries, said Arakhamia.
Reznikov will be appointed minister for strategic industries, said Arakhamia.
"War dictates personnel policies. Time and circumstances require reinforcement and regrouping," he added.
"War dictates personnel policies. Time and circumstances require reinforcement and regrouping," he added.
"The enemy is preparing to advance. We are preparing to defend ourselves."
"The enemy is preparing to advance. We are preparing to defend ourselves."
Reznikov was appointed defense minister in November, 2021 and has helped secure Western weapons to buttress Ukrainian forces. But his ministry has been beset by corruption scandals.
Reznikov was appointed defense minister in November, 2021 and has helped secure Western weapons to buttress Ukrainian forces. But his ministry has been beset by corruption scandals.
Reznikov's deputy was forced to resign in late January after the ministry was accused of signing food contracts at prices 2 to 3 times higher than current rates for basic foodstuffs.
Reznikov's deputy was forced to resign in late January after the ministry was accused of signing food contracts at prices 2 to 3 times higher than current rates for basic foodstuffs.
Speaking to reporters earlier Sunday, Reznikov did not say if he planned to stay on at the ministry, but that only President Zelensky could decide his fate.
Speaking to reporters earlier Sunday, Reznikov did not say if he planned to stay on at the ministry, but that only President Zelensky could decide his fate.
"The stress that I have endured this year is hard to measure precisely. I am not ashamed of anything," Reznikov said. "My conscience is absolutely clear."
"The stress that I have endured this year is hard to measure precisely. I am not ashamed of anything," Reznikov said. "My conscience is absolutely clear."
An internal audit of procurement procedures was under way at the defense ministry, he said.
An internal audit of procurement procedures was under way at the defense ministry, he said.
He added that the ministry's own anti-corruption department had "failed" to do its job and needed to be "completely rebooted".
He added that the ministry's own anti-corruption department had "failed" to do its job and needed to be "completely rebooted".
With graft a key European concern, Ukraine's government has stepped up work to clean up its act, launching high-profile raids this week targeting an oligarch with political connections, and a former interior minister.
With graft a key European concern, Ukraine's government has stepped up work to clean up its act, launching high-profile raids this week targeting an oligarch with political connections, and a former interior minister.
Speaking to reporters, Reznikov also urged the West to send warplanes, after Germany and the United States finally agreed to supply heavy tanks following weeks of deliberations.
Speaking to reporters, Reznikov also urged the West to send warplanes, after Germany and the United States finally agreed to supply heavy tanks following weeks of deliberations.
"I am sure that we will win this war," Reznikov said, but without Western jets, "it will cost us more lives".
"I am sure that we will win this war," Reznikov said, but without Western jets, "it will cost us more lives".
FRESH FIGHTING IN BAKHMUT
In eastern Ukraine, heavy fighting was underway in the northern parts of the frontline hotspot Bakhmut. Russia has claimed gains in recent days around the war-ravaged city in the region of Donetsk.
In eastern Ukraine, heavy fighting was underway in the northern parts of the frontline hotspot Bakhmut. Russia has claimed gains in recent days around the war-ravaged city in the region of Donetsk.
"In the northern quarters of Artemovsk, fierce battles are going on for every street, every house, every stairwell," the head of Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said in a statement, referring to Bakhmut by its previous name.
"In the northern quarters of Artemovsk, fierce battles are going on for every street, every house, every stairwell," the head of Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said in a statement, referring to Bakhmut by its previous name.
"The Ukrainian armed forces are fighting to the last," he said.
"The Ukrainian armed forces are fighting to the last," he said.
Russian forces have been trying to capture Bakhmut in the eastern region of Donetsk for months, in what has become the longest and bloodiest battle since Russia invaded Ukraine last February.
Russian forces have been trying to capture Bakhmut in the eastern region of Donetsk for months, in what has become the longest and bloodiest battle since Russia invaded Ukraine last February.
In Bakhmut Sunday, about 20 people, including 2 soldiers, attended a mass in the basement of the golden-domed All Saints' church.
In Bakhmut Sunday, about 20 people, including 2 soldiers, attended a mass in the basement of the golden-domed All Saints' church.
Three women sang hymns, punctuated by sounds of mortar shells in the background. The room was lit by 2 dozen candles and a portable light used by the two priests to read from the bible.
Three women sang hymns, punctuated by sounds of mortar shells in the background. The room was lit by 2 dozen candles and a portable light used by the two priests to read from the bible.
"Today I prayed that everything will be better for me after I die," said 20-year-old Serafim Chernyshov, standing outside the church.
"Today I prayed that everything will be better for me after I die," said 20-year-old Serafim Chernyshov, standing outside the church.
"I came to pray for peace," added Lyubov Avramenko, 84.
"I came to pray for peace," added Lyubov Avramenko, 84.
Zelensky said on Friday that Kyiv's troops would fight for Bakhmut "as long as we can."
Zelensky said on Friday that Kyiv's troops would fight for Bakhmut "as long as we can."
The British defense ministry said Sunday that over the past week, Russia had made "small advances" in its attempt to encircle Bakhmut.
The British defense ministry said Sunday that over the past week, Russia had made "small advances" in its attempt to encircle Bakhmut.
MISSILE STRIKE IN KHARKIV
For months Moscow has targeted Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, including the energy grid, leaving millions in the dark and cold in the middle of winter.
For months Moscow has targeted Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, including the energy grid, leaving millions in the dark and cold in the middle of winter.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, a missile strike on a residential building Sunday wounded 4 people, a local official said. Another strike that hit a university wounded a security guard.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, a missile strike on a residential building Sunday wounded 4 people, a local official said. Another strike that hit a university wounded a security guard.
Around 280,000 households in the southern city of Odesa were still without power following Saturday's accident at an electrical substation, already damaged by Russian strikes, said Prime Minister Denys Shmygal.
Around 280,000 households in the southern city of Odesa were still without power following Saturday's accident at an electrical substation, already damaged by Russian strikes, said Prime Minister Denys Shmygal.
As a result, schools will be closed in the city on Monday and Tuesday, officials said.
As a result, schools will be closed in the city on Monday and Tuesday, officials said.
© Agence France-Presse
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