Zelensky Sacks Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Names Replacement

Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov has been dismissed from his post.

This was announced by the country’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Reznikov had led the ministry since before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

But in his nightly address, President Zelensky said it was time for “new approaches” in the defence ministry.

Rustem Umerov, who runs Ukraine’s State Property Fund, has been nominated by Mr Zelensky as Mr Reznikov’s successor.

“I believe that the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole,” the Ukrainian president said in his address from the capital Kyiv.

Ukrainian media has speculated that Mr Reznikov will become Kyiv’s new ambassador in London, where he has developed good relations with senior politicians.

The 57-year-old has become a well-known figure since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Internationally recognised, he has regularly attended meetings with Ukraine’s western allies and played a key role in lobbying for additional military equipment.