The head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kirilo Budanovwill replace Oleksii Reznikov as Minister of Defense after some corruption scandals and waiting for a new Russian offensive, according to what the deputy announced this Sunday David Arakhamia.
“Kirilo Budanov will head the defense ministry, which is absolutely logical in times of war,” the deputy said, referring to the 37-year-old head of Ukrainian military intelligence.
reznikov56 years old, will be appointed Minister of Strategic Industriesadded the Arakhamia deputy without specifying the date on which the replacement will take place.
“War dictates personnel policy. Time and circumstances call for strengthening and regrouping. This is happening now and it will happen in the future. Therefore: Oleksiy Reznikov within the government will be transferred to the post of minister of strategic industries to strengthen the army and industry,” Arakhamia said.
“The enemy is preparing to advance. And we are preparing to defend ourselves, ”he added.
Reznikov had been appointed defense minister in November 2021, and helped achieve western military support to strengthen the Ukrainian armed forces.
However, his ministry has lately been involved in corruption scandals.
The Vice Minister of Defense Viacheslav Shapovalovin charge of logistical support for the armed forces, was forced to resign at the end of January after the ministry was accused of signing inflated food supply contracts for the troops.
On Friday, the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) of Ukraine reported the arrest of five involved in the alleged fraud related to the supply of the armed forces.
When speaking to the press this Sunday, hours before the statements by Deputy Arakhamia, Reznikov did not say whether he planned to continue leading the ministry.
But he added that his fate can only be decided by the president Volodimir Zelenskywhich has toughened the fight against corruption.
“The stress that I have suffered in this last year is difficult to measure. I’m not ashamed of anything. My conscience is absolutely clear,” Reznikov said.
Since the Zelensky administration, in recent days there have been changes in charges, arrests and searches of properties, such as those carried out yesterday in those of the influential millionaire Igor Kolomoisky.
kyiv has pledged to carry out a rigid line of “zero tolerance” towards corruptionone of the essential points required by Brussels to that country, which last year achieved recognition as an applicant to join the European Union (EU) and yearns to open formal negotiations this same 2023.
With information from AFP and EFE
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Source-www.infobae.com