World

Ukraine's defence minister Oleksii Reznikov dismissed

September 5, 2023 7:31 am

[Source: BBC News]

Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov has been dismissed from his post, the country’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky has announced.

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.

Article continues after advertisement

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

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.