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CNN —Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said it has discovered a mass corruption scheme in the purchase of weapons by the country’s military amounting to nearly $40 million (1.5 billion Ukrainian hryvnia). Ukraine’s Defense Ministry paid nearly all of the funds to arms supplier Lviv Arsenal, but the SBU said the ammunition was never received. We have no place for corrupt officials.” Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klymenkov said in a statement Saturday. Ukraine has been dogged by corruption scandals involving its defense ministry in recent years. In December, a senior Ukrainian defense ministry official was detained over allegations he had embezzled 1.5 billion hryvnia ($40 million) in a separate case involving an artillery shells contract.

Persons: SBU, Yurii Zbitnev, –, ”, Dmytro Klymenkov, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Oleksii Reznikov, Washington Organizations: CNN, Ukraine’s Security, Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, Lviv Arsenal, European Union, Ministry of Defence, Defense, Officials Locations: Balkans, Ukraine, Ukrainian, United States, Kyiv

☆ Ukraine Says It Uncovers Mass Fraud in Weapons Procurement
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Ukraine's SBU security service said on Saturday it had uncovered a corruption scheme in the purchase of arms by the country's military totalling the equivalent of about $40 million. The announcement of mass procurement fraud, confirmed by Ukraine's Defence Ministry, will have a huge resonance in a country beleaguered by Russia's nearly two-year-old invasion. The fight to root out endemic corruption remains a major issue as Ukraine presses its bid to secure membership in the European Union. "According to the investigation, former and current high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defence and heads of affiliated companies are involved in the embezzlement." Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov was dismissed last September over various corruption cases despite enjoying a solid reputation in representing Ukraine in its discussions with Western allies.

Persons: Russia's, Oleksii Reznikov, Ron Popeski, Maria Starkova, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Reuters, Ukraine's Defence Ministry, European Union, Ministry of Defence, Lviv Arsenal, . Defence, Western Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian

"Unless Zelenskiy gets rid of Tatarov, he won't be seen as serious in purging the country of corruption," she told Reuters. "He knew about law enforcement and warned us to be careful about saying almost anything on the phone," Maiboroda told Reuters. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said experts would need to study the material to verify it. "The main thing is that a person is honest," Zelenskiy told reporters several days after Tatarov's appointment. Zelenskiy told Ukrainian television network ICTV in October 2021 that the offshore arrangement was to protect his TV production business from political pressure by the Yanukovych government.

Persons: Oleh Maiboroda, Maiboroda, Oleh Tatarov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Tatarov, Maiboroda's, Ukraine's, Zelenskiy, Kyiv pollsters, Oleksii Reznikov, Reznikov, Daria Kaleniuk, Nicola Mirto, Mirto, Viktor Yanukovych, Yanukovich's, Maxym Mykytas, Mykytas, Maiborada, NABU, Yanukovych, –, General Iryna Venediktova, Artem Sytnyk, Sytnyk, didn't, Oleksiy Symonenko, Symonenko, Andriy Yermak, Yermak, Denys, Dmytro Shtanko, Liudmyla, Sergey Shefir, Shefir, Vyacheslav Shapovalov, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, Zheleznyak, Zelensky, Ihor, Kolomoisky, Semen Kryvonos, Kaleniuk, ”, Stephen Grey, Dan Peleschuk, Janet McBride Organizations: Reuters, Ukrbud, Prosecutors, Ukraine's, European Union, International Monetary Fund, Kyiv, Kyiv Independent, Tatarov, Ministry, Interior Ministry, Virgin Islands, ICTV, National Agency for, Ministry of Defence, Kiel Institute, NATO, Thomson Locations: VIENNA, KYIV, Vienna, Ukraine, Tatarov, Russia, Europe, European, Kyiv, Italian, Ukrainian, Soviet Ukraine, Zelenskiy's, Switzerland, Spain, Soviet, United States, Irpin

According to Maiboroda, Mykytas used Tatarov for difficult tasks, including bribe payments on behalf of Ukrbud Development. "He knew about law enforcement and warned us to be careful about saying almost anything on the phone," Maiboroda told Reuters. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said experts would need to study the material to verify it. "The main thing is that a person is honest," Zelenskiy told reporters several days after Tatarov's appointment. Zelenskiy told Ukrainian television network ICTV in October 2021 that the offshore arrangement was to protect his TV production business from political pressure by the Yanukovych government.

☆ Ukraine removes deputy defence ministers after new minister's appointment
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Newly appointed Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov addresses commanders of the Armed Forces during a meeting, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 7, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 18 (Reuters) - The Ukrainian government dismissed six deputy defence ministers on Monday following the appointment of a new defence minister earlier this month. The government gave no reason for the dismissals, but such moves are common after a new minister's appointment. Rustem Umerov became defence minister less than two weeks ago, replacing Oleksii Reznikov. Maliar, a war crimes lawyer, had served as a deputy defence minister since 2021 and her latest update on the war in Ukraine appeared on Monday morning.

Persons: Rustem Umerov, Hanna Maliar, Oleksii Reznikov, Reznikov, Umerov, Anna Pruchnicka, Timothy Organizations: Ukraine's, Armed Forces, Presidential Press Service, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Ukrainian, Pravda, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia

☆ Ukraine is rolling out a lighter, form-fitting body armor for women after female soldiers said wearing men's clothes got in the way of their frontline fighting
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The body armor is lighter than the men's version and is easier to take off. The body armor will be rolled out once it passes tests by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense. The new body armor solves the chafing and discomfort that flat armor chest plates pose for women on the battlefield, per Ukrainian Armor. The body armor has passed internal tests and will now undergo tests by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, per Ukrainska Pravda. A representative for Ukraine's Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Persons: Ukrainian Armour, Ukrainska, Yan Honcharov, Oleksii Reznikov Organizations: Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, Service, Ukrainian, Ukrainska Pravda, Pravda, trailblazer Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Kyiv

☆ Ukraine appears to be repurposing powerful Russian anti-tank mines and using drones to drop them on Putin's invasion army
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine appears to be repurposing and using Russian mines against Putin's forces. Video footage appears to show Ukraine dropping TM-62 anti-tank mines on Russian positions. Russian mines have been a significant obstacle to Ukraine's counteroffensive. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyAdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine appears to be repurposing Russian anti-tank mines and using drones to drop them on Russian forces. Video footage shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, claims to show a Ukrainian drone dropping a powerful grenade-fused TM-62 anti-tank blast mine on an enemy position.

Persons: Greg Crowther, GLOBSEC, Oleksii Reznikov Organizations: Ukraine, Service, CAT, Atlas Internazionale, TNT, Washington Post, Mines Advisory, United Nations, Guardian Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Ukrainian, Atlas, Uruguay, Florida, Slovakia

☆ Opinion | Corruption Is an Existential Threat to Ukraine, and Ukrainians Know It
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Farah Stockman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

No one knows better what an existential threat corruption can be, sapping the public trust and the legitimacy of the state. Ukrainians consider corruption the country’s second-most-serious problem, behind only the Russian invasion, according to a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology this year. That raises hopes that Ukrainians are starting to resist corruption with the same can-do spirit that repelled the Russian invasion. Ukrainian lawmakers are pushing back against the scrutiny. “Many Ukrainians are unhappy with this decision of the Parliament,” Andrii Borovyk, the executive director of Transparency International Ukraine, told me.

Persons: Yuriy Nikolov, Volodymyr Zelensky, Oleksii Reznikov, Bohdan Torokhtiy, Alina Levchenko, Mr, Zelensky, ” Andrii Borovyk, Vitalii Shabunin, ” Organizations: Kyiv International Institute of, European Union, Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Transparency International, Ukrainian Pravda Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Europe, Instagram, Kyiv, Transparency International Ukraine

☆ Hitler didn't stop when he was given land, and nor would Putin, says Ukraine's former defense minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine's former defense minister said a peace deal where Ukraine gives up land won't stop Russia. Reznikov said a similar deal didn't stop Hitler in the 1930s and "Putin's actions follow a similar pattern." Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said they will not accept a peace deal that includes giving up land to Russia. Ukraine has also told China, which has expressed interest in brokering a peace deal, that it won't accept a deal that involves giving Russia territory. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier this year that a peace agreement can't include giving land to Russia, or else it wouldn't be a "just peace and a durable peace."

Persons: Reznikov, didn't, Hitler, Putin, Vladimir Putin, Adolf Hitler, Oleksii Reznikov, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Antony Blinken, Zelenskyy, Emmanuel Macron Organizations: Service, Guardian, Ukraine, Czechoslovakia, NATO, Soviet Union Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Europe, Wall, Silicon, Nazi Germany, Germany, Czechoslovakia, China, Soviet

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy Tells New Defence Minister to Rebuild Trust
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy tasked new Defence Minister Rustem Umerov on Thursday with reducing red tape and increasing trust in his ministry after a series of corruption allegations. Zelenskiy sacked Umerov's predecessor following the graft accusations levelled at the ministry by Ukrainian media, most notably over procurement. Military analysts said the shake-up would not have a big impact on Ukraine's war effort. Trust in the decisions that are being made, trust in the procurement that is carried out, trust in the supplies," Zelenskiy said. Political Cartoons on World Leaders View All 226 Images"We need a new philosophy of attitude towards Ukrainian soldiers: people are not disposable," he said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Rustem Umerov, Zelenskiy, Umerov's, Umerov, Oleksii Reznikov, Reznikov, Yuliia Dysa, Timothy Heritage Organizations: Military, NATO, Trust Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine

☆ Blinken visits Ukraine in show of support, says it needs 'strong deterrent'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/5] Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba greets US Secretary of State Antony Blinken before a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, Ukraine on September 6, 2023. During his two-day visit, Blinken is likely to announce a new package of U.S. wartime assistance worth more than $1 billion, a senior State Department official told reporters on the trip. "We want to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, not only to succeed in the counteroffensive, but has what it needs for the long term, to make sure that it has a strong deterrent," Blinken said standing alongside Kuleba. "We're also determined to continue to work with our partners as they build and rebuild a strong economy, strong democracy." During his train ride to Kyiv, Blinken also held talks with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen - coincidentally visiting the same day.

Persons: Dmytro Kuleba, Antony Blinken, Zelenskiy, Washington, Blinken, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, We're, Kuleba, Dmitry Peskov, Rustem Umerov, Oleksii Reznikov, Mette Frederiksen, Frederiksen, Matthew Miller, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, pare, Humeyra Pamuk, Tom Balmforth, Timothy Heritage, Angus MacSwan, Peter Graff Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russian, State Department, U.S, Kyiv, Media, Ukrainian, Blinken's, Danish, Department, Republican, Reuters, Washington, Thomson Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Kyiv Ukraine, U.S, Blinken, Russian, Moscow, Washington, Ukrainian, UKRAINE, Denmark, Netherlands

☆ Blinken hails Kyiv's pushback against Russia in visit clouded by attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"This Russian evil must be defeated as soon as possible," Zelenskiy said, describing it as a deliberate attack on a "peaceful city". U.S. officials have not publicly criticised Ukraine's military tactics, and last week said they had seen progress in the southeast. [1/6]Police officers and rescuers carry the body of a person killed by a Russian military strike in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, September 6, 2023. Blinken's visit coincided with Ukraine's parliament approving the appointment of Rust Umerov as defence minister following the dismissal of Oleksii Reznikov. During his train ride to Kyiv, Blinken held talks with Danish Prime Minister Mettle Fredericks, who was visiting the same day.

Persons: Blinken, Zelenskiy, Ivan Lyubysh, Antony Blinken, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Dmytro Kuleba, Kuleba, Abrams, Larine Jean, Pierre said, Dmitry Peso, Diana Khodak, Khodak, Rust, Oleksii Reznikov, Mettle Fredericks, Fredericks, Humeyra Pamuk, Tom Balmforth, Ron Popeski, Philippa Fletcher, Timothy Heritage, Angus MacSwan, Peter Graff, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Kirdey, U.S, Kyiv, Ukraine's Foreign, Ukrainian, White, Pentagon, Police, Press, Interior Ministry of, REUTERS Acquire, European Union, Reuters, Danish, State Department, Republican, Thomson Locations: Kyiv Ukraine, Kirdey KYIV, Ukraine, U.S, Kostiantynivka, Bakhmut, Russia, Russian, Donetsk region, Interior Ministry of Ukraine, Handout, Moscow, Washington, Ukrainian, Kyiv, Blinken's, Denmark, Netherlands

☆ Who is Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's new defence minister?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS /File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament voted to approve the appointment of Rustem Umerov as defence minister on Wednesday after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy proposed him to replace Oleksii Reznikov. Here are some facts about Umerov:* Umerov, 41, is a Crimean Tatar, a Turkic people from the Black Sea Ukrainian peninsula that was annexed by Russia in 2014. Since 2020, Umerov has been a member of a Ukrainian government task force working on the strategy to end the occupation of Crimea. * In September 2022, Umerov, then a lawmaker from the pro-European Holos party, became head of the State Property Fund, an agency selling state assets to private investors. * When proposing Umerov, Zelenskiy said new approaches and other forms of interaction with the military and society were needed as Russia's invasion entered its 19th month.

Persons: Rustem Umerov, Rustem, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Umerov, Olena, Zelenskiy, Anna Pruchnicka, Tom Balmforth, Timothy Organizations: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service, REUTERS, Rights, Oleksii, State Property Fund, Ukraine's Azov, United Arab Emirates, ASTEM, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Kyiv, Crimean, Russia, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Soviet Crimea, Crimea, Umerov, European, Mariupol, Zelenskiy, Saudi Arabia

☆ Blinken, in Kyiv, Says U.S. Will Send $1 Billion More in Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Constant Méheut | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

The aid will also include demining assistance to clear Russian land mines and prevent the remnants of war from causing further harm to civilians, Mr. Blinken said. It includes ammunition made with depleted uranium for Abrams tanks, which are scheduled to arrive in Ukraine this fall, Mr. Blinken said. Mr. Blinken traveled by train to Kyiv with Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, according to a State Department statement. He was replaced by Rustem Umerov, who has been the chairman of Ukraine’s State Property Fund. A senior State Department official told reporters traveling with Mr. Blinken that the effort was aimed at “putting global support on a long-term, sustainable path.

Persons: Antony J, Blinken, Biden, Dmytro Kuleba, Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Mr, Zelensky, ”, “, Lynsey Addario, Mr, Mette Frederiksen, Blinken’s, Oleksii, Rustem Umerov, Umerov’s, Tyler Hicks, Putin, Vladimir V, Russia, Erin Mendell, Anushka Patil Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kyiv, United, Pentagon, The New York Times, Ukraine’s, Department, Property Fund, 22nd Mechanized Brigade, State Department Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, U.S, United States, matériel, Kostyantynivka, Ukrainian, ”, Russia, “, Denmark, Ukraine’s, Bakhmut, Israel

☆ Live updates: Russia's war in Ukraine, attacks on Danube River ports in Odesa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Oleksii Reznikov speaks during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine on August 28. Andriy Zhyhaylo/Obozrevatel/Global Images Ukraine/Getty ImagesUkrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov on Monday submitted his resignation, a day after it was announced he would be replaced. "Following the decision of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, I submitted my resignation to the Ukrainian Parliament. Reznikov's removal comes in the wake of a number of corruption scandals involving Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense. Zelensky has nominated Rustem Umerov to become Ukraine's new defense minister.

Persons: Oleksii Reznikov, Andriy Zhyhaylo, Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Let's, Reznikov, Zelensky, Rustem Umerov Organizations: Getty, Ukrainian Defense, Facebook, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian

☆ Who is Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's likely new defence minister?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rustem Umerov, head of the country's main privatisation fund, attends a meeting in the president's office, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine November 16, 2022. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 4 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has proposed Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's main privatisation agency, to serve as the country's wartime defence minister. Here are some facts about Umerov, who would replace Oleksii Reznikov as defence minister:* Umerov, 41, is a Crimean Tatar, a Turkic people from the Black Sea Ukrainian peninsula that was annexed by Russia in 2014. Since 2020, Umerov has been a member of a Ukrainian government task force working on the strategy to end the occupation of Crimea. * In September 2022, Umerov, then a lawmaker from the pro-European Holos party, became head of the State Property Fund, an agency selling state assets to private investors.

Persons: Rustem Umerov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Umerov, Umerov's, Oleksii, Olena, Anna Pruchnicka, Tom Balmforth, Timothy Organizations: Presidential Press Service, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, State Property Fund, Azov, United Arab Emirates, ASTEM, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Crimean, Russia, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Soviet Crimea, Ukrainian, Crimea, Umerov, European, Mariupol, Zelenskiy, Saudi Arabia

President Volodymyr Zelensky named Rustem Umerov as his choice to be Ukraine’s next defense minister, opting for a prominent member of the Crimean Tatar ethnic group who has played a key role in negotiations with Russia since the start of the war. In announcing his decision on Sunday to replace Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, Mr. Zelensky was brief. Umerov,” he said, “does not need any additional introductions.”Though a member of an opposition political party, Mr. Umerov, 41, has taken on several critical roles for the government since the Russian invasion last year. He was the chief Ukrainian negotiator of an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export some of its grain, and a prominent negotiator on prisoner exchanges. A former investment banker, Mr. Umerov is a lawmaker with the Holos party, which is in opposition to Mr. Zelensky’s Servant of the People party.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Umerov, Oleksii Reznikov, Zelensky, Mr, ”, “, Zelensky’s, Roman Abramovich Organizations: Defense, People, Ukraine Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Istanbul

☆ Meet Zelenskyy's pick for Ukraine's new defense minister, who's been deeply involved with Russian negotiations and prisoner exchanges
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine's defense ministry has been mired in corruption scandals in the past few months. Advertisement Advertisement Watch:Ukraine's defense ministry has been mired in corruption scandals over the past few months. The defense ministry has also been accused of purchasing food and winter jackets at inflated prices, per the Kyiv Independent. "Minister Reznikov was very effective at getting support from other nations," Ben Hodges, a former lieutenant general who headed US Army Europe, told Insider. Since the start of the Ukraine war, Umerov has played a role in several negotiations with the Russians.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Rustem, Zelenskyy, Oleksii, Reznikov, Umerov, Ben Hodges, Hodges, Russia Umerov Organizations: Service, Ministry, Kyiv Independent, Army, United, United Arab Emirates, Property Fund Locations: Wall, Silicon, Kyiv, Army Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Saudi

☆ ‘Where Is the Money?’ Military Graft Becomes a Headache for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Andrew E. Kramer | More About Andrew E. Kramer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The removal of Ukraine’s minister of defense after a flurry of reports of graft and financial mismanagement in his department underscores a pivotal challenge for President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wartime leadership: stamping out the corruption that had been widespread in Ukraine for years. But Mr. Zelensky’s announcement Sunday night that he was replacing the defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, elevated the issue to the highest level of Ukrainian politics. It comes at a pivotal moment in the war, as Ukraine prosecutes a counteroffensive in the country’s south and east that relies heavily on Western allies for military assistance. Just last week, the United States’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, met with three high-ranking Ukrainian officials to discuss efforts to stamp out wartime corruption. It comes as some lawmakers in the United States have used graft as an argument for limiting military aid to Ukraine.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky’s, Oleksii, Mr, Jake Sullivan Organizations: United Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, United States

☆ Factbox: Who is Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's likely new defence minister?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has tapped Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar, to become his next defense minister, replacing Oleksii Reznikov at a critical time for Ukraine’s counteroffensive. Umerov will have a bulging in-tray if and when the Ukrainian parliament approves his appointment. The Defense Minister is also Ukraine’s main interlocutor with western allies through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Zelensky chose Umerov for the top defense job even though Umerov is not a member of his political party, the Servant of the People. I also explained to colleagues that they should have no hesitation because the invaders are coming to kill.”Rustem Umerov is expected to become Ukraine's next defense minister.

Persons: CNN —, Volodymyr Zelensky, Rustem, Oleksii, Zelensky, Umerov, Stalin, Forbes, “, Catherine the Great, ”, Dogukan, Reznikov, –, impinge, ” Reznikov Organizations: CNN, Defense Ministry, Defense, Ukraine Defense Contact, US, Group, State Property Fund, Center, Humanitarian Dialog, Turkish, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Ukrainian Emerging, Stanford University, Analysts, NATO, Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Twitter Locations: Crimean, Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Uzbekistan, Crimea, Soviet, Russian, Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian, Norway, Turkey

☆ Zelensky Says He’ll Replace Ukraine’s Defense Minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Andrew E. Kramer | More About Andrew E. Kramer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that he was replacing his minister of defense, in the biggest shake-up in Ukraine’s government since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February last year. Mr. Zelensky said in a statement that he would replace Mr. Reznikov, who has not been personally implicated in the widening investigations into mishandling of military contracts, with Rustem Umerov, the chairman of Ukraine’s State Property Fund. Mr. Zelensky said he expected Ukraine’s Parliament, which must approve the change, to sign off on his request. “Oleksii Reznikov has gone through more than 550 days of full-scale war,” Mr. Zelensky said in a statement announcing his decision on Sunday night. “I believe that the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society at large.”

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Oleksii Reznikov, Zelensky, Reznikov, Rustem Umerov, “ Oleksii Reznikov, Mr, “ Organizations: Mr, Ukraine’s, Property Fund Locations: Ukraine

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy moves to replace wartime defence minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov attend a meeting with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 7, 2023. Press Service of the Defence Ministry of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday he had decided to dismiss Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov from his post and would ask parliament this week to replace him with Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's main privatisation fund. The announcement, made in his nightly video address to the nation, sets the stage for the biggest shakeup of Ukraine's defence establishment during the war launched by Russia in February 2022. Oleksii Reznikov has been through more than 550 days of full-scale war," Zelenskiy said. The change of defence minister must be approved by parliament, but is likely to be supported by a majority of lawmakers in the Verkhovna Rada.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Oleksii Reznikov, Boris Pistorius, Rustem Umerov, Reznikov, I've, Zelenskiy, Umerov, Tom Balmforth, Anna Pruchnicka, Diane Craft Organizations: Defence, German, Press Service, Defence Ministry of, REUTERS, Rights, Defense, Verkhovna Rada, Property Fund, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Defence Ministry of Ukraine, Handout, Russia, Verkhovna, Crimean

☆ Ukraine expects boom in drone production, defence minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Ukraine intends to increase drone production as early as this autumn, the Ukrainian defence minister was quoted as saying on Sunday, as the country conducts more frequent drone attacks on Russian territory. Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory have picked up in recent weeks, with dozens of drones striking Russia at once on some days, reaching as far as the western city of Pskov, 400 miles (600 km) from Ukraine. Kyiv has used both aerial drones to attack airfields and aquatic drones to attack ships and the bridge to Crimea. "I think this autumn there will be a boom in the production of various Ukrainian drones: flying, floating, crawling, etc., and this will continue to grow in volume," Oleksii Reznikov told the state-run Ukrinform news agency. Especially for drone manufacturers who started production from garages," he said.

Persons: Oleksii Reznikov, Pavel Polityuk, Frances Kerry Organizations: Kyiv, Russia's Defence, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russia, Pskov, Kyiv, Crimea, Moscow

CNN —Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has fired his defense minister, citing the need for “new approaches” as the war with Russia enters its 19th month. “This week, parliament will be asked to make a personnel decision … I have decided to replace the minister of defense of Ukraine. The president nominated Rustem Umerov, the former people’s deputy of Ukraine, to become the new defense minister. “The Verkhovna Rada (legislature) of Ukraine knows this person well, and Mr. Umerov does not need any additional introductions,” Zelensky said. Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov at Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 10, 2023.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, …, Oleksii Reznikov, ” Zelensky, Rustem Umerov, Umerov, “, ” Reznikov, Zelensky, Yurii, Reznikov, Ihor Kolomoisky Organizations: CNN, Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian Defense, NATO, European Union, Transparency International Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Europe, Brussels

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