Reports: Ukrainian Defense Minister to be Replaced Amid Graft Allegations

SEP 1 2023·Updated AUG 27

Story

Image credit: Ukraine's Presidential Press Office [via Wikimedia Commons]

The Facts

Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraine's defense minister, is next week expected to be removed from his post and replaced, according to sources who spoke to multiple Ukrainian news publications.
Ukrainska Pravda
This comes as Reznikov has found himself embroiled in new corruption allegations, which he denies. This time, he was accused of profiting from the purchase of military jackets from Turkey in which the Ukrainian government is said to have paid three times the normal cost of the items — with those involved in the scheme reportedly pocketing the difference.
Kyiv Post
Last February, Reznikov came under fire after local journalists exposed another scheme in which Ukraine's defense ministry reportedly paid inflated prices for soldiers' food rations. Reznikov did not personally sign the procurement contract — however, journalists and watchdog groups said he bore ultimate responsibility as head of the department.
Politico
According to reports, Reznikov may be replaced by Rustem Umerov, who heads Ukraine's State Property Fund, but a final decision has not been made. Meanwhile, Reznikov is reportedly being considered to be Ukraine's next ambassador to the UK.
Ukrainska Pravda
Last week, amid rumors that Reznikov would be replaced, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked to comment during a press conference. He said: "I am ready to comment on any personnel decisions in our state only after I have signed the relevant decrees."
Ukrainska Pravda
Meanwhile, Reznikov told reporters that he has discussed the possibility of a new role with Zelenskyy, but added that the decision was Zelenskyy's alone to make.
Ukrainska Pravda

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Zelenskyy understands that if Ukraine is to join NATO or the EU, it has to clamp down on its problem of corruption that existed long before the war with Russia. He is rightly taking steps to eradicate this problem and should be commended for taking Ukraine in the right direction.

Spectator (UK)

Establishment-critical narrative

Despite Zelenskyy's public pronouncements, he himself has been at the center of corruption allegations to the tune of several hundred million dollars. How can he be taken seriously on corruption if he's also involved?