Jakarta –
Defense Minister of Ukraine will be replaced by the head of military intelligence. That followed a corruption scandal, said a senior lawmaker.
“Kyrylo Budanov will lead the defense ministry, which is very logical in a time of war,” said senior lawmaker David Arakhamia, referring to the 37-year-old chief of military intelligence.
For your information, Ukraine’s current Minister of Defense is Oleksiy Reznikov, 56. He will be appointed minister for strategic industries, the lawmaker said without specifying a timetable for the planned reshuffle.
“The war dictates personnel policy,” Arakhamia added.
“Time and circumstances call for strengthening and regrouping. This is happening now and will continue to happen in the future. The enemy is preparing to advance. We are preparing to defend ourselves,” he continued.
One of the most famous faces of the Ukrainian war effort, Reznikov was appointed defense minister in November 2021 and has helped secure Western weapons to shore up Ukrainian forces.
But his ministry was beset by a corruption scandal.
Reznikov’s deputy was forced to resign in late January after the ministry was accused of signing food contracts at prices two to three times higher than the current price of staple foods.
Speaking to reporters early Sunday, Reznikov did not say whether he planned to stay at the ministry.
But he added that only President Volodymyr Zelensky, who last week stepped up efforts to tackle corruption, could determine his fate.
“The stress that I experienced this year is difficult to measure precisely. I’m not ashamed of anything,” said Reznikov.
“My conscience is completely clear,” he continued.
(eva/eva)
