KYIV – On Monday, Ukraine delivered confusing signals over the future of its defense minister, leaving a critical position in its war effort uncertain as the country readies itself for a new Russian attack.
A day after stating that Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov would be replaced, a prominent ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky said that no personnel changes will be made in the defense sector this week.
David Arakhamia, the president of Zelensky’s party’s parliamentary caucus, stated that Reznikov would be appointed minister of strategic industries, while Kyrylo Budanov, the head of military intelligence, would take over the defense ministry.
However, Zelensky remained silent on the matter, and Reznikov stated on Sunday that he had not been notified of any shift and would decline the strategic industry position if offered.
The uncertainty about the minister’s fate comes as Russian forces have advanced in the east for the first time in half a year in a series of fierce engagements. A regional governor stated that Moscow was sending forces into eastern Ukraine in preparation for a possible fresh onslaught as early as next week.
Two prominent parliamentarians pointed out on Monday that Ukraine’s defense minister is required by law to be a civilian, which would obstruct the rapid appointment of Budanov, a 37-year-old military commander.
The removal of Reznikov, who has been well-received in Western cities including Paris as recently as last week, would be the most prominent rearrangement in recent weeks, many of which were precipitated by corruption revelations.
Zelensky is under pressure to demonstrate that Ukraine can be a dependable steward of billions of dollars in Western military and civilian aid. Ukraine has a decades-long reputation for corruption. Last month, when he announced a personnel purge, Zelensky pledged to fulfill Western standards for clean governance.
As an attorney, Reznikov has not been publicly implicated in any scandals. However, one of his deputies and a number of other officials have resigned, and prosecutors have begun an investigation into suspicions that a defense ministry contract would have corruptly overpaid for troops’ food.
During conflict, according to Arakhamia, the Ukrainian military should not be supervised by politicians, but rather by individuals with a background in defense or security.
“War dictates personnel policy changes,” he remarked on the Telegram chat application on Sunday.
Reznikov stated on Sunday that any decision regarding a cabinet reshuffle rested with Zelensky, but he told the Ukrainian Fakty ICTV online media that he was unaware of a planned transfer to a new ministry.
Reznikov was quoted as saying, “If I suddenly received such an offer from the president of Ukraine or the prime minister, I would refuse it because I lack the expertise.”
Budanov, named by Arakhamia as Reznikov’s replacement, is a young, enigmatic officer distinguished for his role in covert operations who ascended fast through the ranks to head the military’s Main Directorate of Intelligence.
The potential reorganization coincides with Ukrainian expectations that Russia may launch a massive onslaught this month. Ukraine is preparing its own counteroffensive, but is awaiting the arrival of tanks and infantry fighting equipment from the West.
Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the eastern province of Luhansk, stated that shelling was no longer occurring around-the-clock and that more Russian forces were being deployed in their area.
“They are slowly beginning to save, preparing for an all-out assault,” he stated on television. “It will likely take them ten days to get supplies. We can anticipate (this offensive) at any point after February 15.”
When asked on national television on Sunday evening about the likelihood of a cabinet overhaul, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak stated, “Reznikov was quite effective in communicating with our allies. And this is a significant factor in this scenario.”
Reznikov, 56, built ties with Western defense leaders and oversaw the procurement of billions of dollars in military aid to help Kyiv repel the Russian invasion while serving as minister of defense during the war.
According to Podolyak, Reznikov’s “wonderful” personal relationships with allies have aided in the procurement of military supplies.
“Negotiations involve not only mathematical equations but also interpersonal ties. And faith. “Unfortunately, we are losing some trust in us today,” Podolyak stated.
Reznikov identified Ukraine’s “de facto” incorporation into the NATO military alliance as a major objective, despite the fact that joining the bloc was not immediately feasible.
During his term as defense minister, he voiced strong opposition to wartime corruption, comparing it to “marauding.”
In recent weeks, however, his ministry became engaged in a corruption controversy involving an army food deal that called for grossly inflated rates to be paid. It prompted public uproar.
The emergence of this controversy was followed by a massive reorganization that resulted in the departure of numerous regional governors, deputy ministers, and other government officials.
Reznikov conducted a news conference on Sunday afternoon, during which he stated that Ukraine anticipated a probable massive Russian offensive this month, but that Kyiv has the means to repel it.
He also stated that his ministry’s anti-corruption department needs to be restructured because it had failed to perform its duties.
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