Ukraine replaces defence minister with military intelligence chief

UKRAINE’S defence minister will be replaced by the chief of its military intelligence agency following corruption scandals, an ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday.

“Kyrylo Budanov will head the defence ministry, which is absolutely logical in wartime,” said David Arakhamia, the head of Mr Zelensky’s Servant of the People parliamentary bloc, referring to the 37-year-old chief of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency.

Oleksii Reznikov, 56, will make way to become minister for strategic industries, the politician said, without specifying a timeline for the reshuffle. “War dictates personnel policies,” Mr Arakhamia said. “Time and circumstances require reinforcement and regrouping.

“This is happening now and will continue to happen in the future,” he added. “The enemy is preparing to advance. We are preparing to defend ourselves.”

One of the best-known faces of Ukraine’s war effort, Mr Reznikov was appointed defence minister in November 2021 and has helped secure Western weapons to buttress Ukrainian forces.

But his ministry has been beset by corruption scandals.

Mr 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 current rates for basic foodstuffs.

Speaking yesterday amid speculation that his departure could be imminent, Mr Reznikov did not say if he planned to stay on at the ministry. But he added that only President Zelensky, who last week stepped up efforts to clamp down on corruption, could decide his fate.

“The stress that I have endured this year is hard to measure precisely. I am not ashamed of anything,” Mr Reznikov said. “My conscience is absolutely clear.”

Mr Reznikov’s replacement came as Ukraine prepared to defend itself against a fresh Russian offensive in the east of the country.