The Ukrainian government announced today, Tuesday, the dismissal of five regional governors and four assistant ministers from their posts, after a corruption scandal involving army equipment was revealed.
Among the officials who have resigned are Deputy Defense Minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov who was responsible for logistical support for the armed forces, Assistant Director of the Presidential Administration Kirillo Tymoshenko, and Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Simonenko.
The government representative in parliament, Taras Melnichuk, announced that the governors of the Dnipropetrovsk regions (center) Valentin Reznichenko, Zaporizhya (south) Oleksandr Starukh, Sumy (north) Dmytro Jivitsky, Kherson (south) Iaroslav Yanushevich, and the capital, Kyiv Oleksi Kuleba, will leave office.
In addition, a deputy resigned Ukrainian Defense Minister In charge of supplying the forces with food and equipment, this morning, due to accusations of “corruption” that he and the ministry say are unfounded.
A statement on the Defense Ministry’s website said Vyacheslav Shapovalov’s resignation was a “worthy act” that would help maintain confidence in the ministry.
Dismissal of the Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine
In the same context, the agency reported that the Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Oleksiy Simonenko, had been dismissed from his position, according to a statement by the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office.
The statement announcing his dismissal did not give any reason for the decision, but said it was made “at his request”.
This came a day after statements by the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he confirmed changes in senior positions in the government and in the regions.
anti-Corruption
The Ukrainian president had previously vowed to fight corruption at all levels amid a series of allegations of bribery and shady practices.
Zelensky’s pledge came amid allegations of high-level corruption, including a report about questionable methods of military procurement.
Elements of the Ukrainian army
Dismissal of the Deputy Minister of Municipal Development
It is noteworthy that the Ukrainian government dismissed, on Sunday, the Deputy Minister of Municipal Development, Vasyl Lozinkich, on suspicion of taking a bribe, while the Ministry of Defense announced the opening of an investigation into accusations of conclusion of contracts at inflated prices for food products intended for the military.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense denied concluding contracts with inflated prices for food products intended for the military, rejecting any accusation of corruption.
The denial came in the wake of local media reports accusing the Ministry of Defense of concluding contracts at prices “two to three times higher” than market prices for basic food products.
