Ukraine to replace defence minister in wartime reshuffle

Oleksiy Reznikov will be appointed minister for strategic industries

Former Ukrainian defence minister Oleksiy Reznikov on February 5. AFP

The chief of Ukraine's military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, is set to replace Oleksiy Reznikov as Defence Minister before an expected Russian offensive and after corruption scandals, a senior politician said Sunday.

"We are preparing decisions and negotiations that should strengthen our soldiers, give Ukraine more international support and more weapons," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address.

This week, Mr Zelenskyy has increased the country's fight against corruption after saying he wants talks on Ukraine's membership in the EU to begin this year.

A senior politician close to Mr Zelenskyy said later on Sunday that Mr Reznikov, 56, one of the best-known faces of the country's war effort, would be replaced.

"Kyrylo Budanov will head the Defence Ministry, which is absolutely logical in wartime," said politician David Arakhamia.

Holding the rank of Maj Gen, Mr Budanov, 37, has led military intelligence since August, 2020.

Russia and Ukraine conflict latest - in pictures

A tank, seen left, fires a round in Soledar, a town in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Reuters

Tank fire in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters

Firefighters work to put out a blaze at a Kharkiv fireworks storage site after it was struck by a Russian missile. Getty

Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, visits his troops on the frontline in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters

A Ukrainian flag attached to a tank flutters in the wind in Bakhmut. Reuters

A specialist from an emergency crew works on a residential building in Donetsk that was damaged in recent shelling. Reuters

A missile fragment left by shelling in Russian-controlled Donetsk. AP

Residents remove debris and carry their belongings out of a building destroyed by recent shelling in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters

Ukrainian forces fire an anti-aircraft weapon as Russia's attack on the frontline city of Bakhmut continues. Reuters

A car drives past a destroyed building purported to have been used as temporary accommodation for Russian soldiers, dozens of whom were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike in Makiivka, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters

The site of a temporary barracks for Russian soldiers in Makiivka, which was destroyed in a Ukrainian missile attack. Reuters

A Ukrainian serviceman carries his injured comrade from the battlefield to a hospital in the Donetsk region. AP

Smoke rises after shelling in Soledar, the site of heavy battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk region. AP

Mr Reznikov will be appointed Minister for Strategic Industries, said Mr Arakhamia.

"War dictates personnel policies. Time and circumstances require reinforcement and regrouping," he said.

"The enemy is preparing to advance. We are preparing to defend ourselves."

Mr Reznikov was appointed defence minister in November 2021 and has helped to secure western weapons. 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.

Drones and weapons supplied to Ukraine - in pictures

Turkeysold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Ukraine. They can fly at an altitude of 7,500 metres and swoop down to attack targets. AFP

The US also gave 700 of its Switchblade kamikaze drones. AP

Cheap commercial drones like the DJI Mavic series have been modified in Ukraine. AFP

Germany will follow the US in providing a Patriot missile defence system, pictured above, to Ukraine. Reuters

FIM-92 Stinger rockets have been donated to help Ukrainian infantry engage aircraft and drones. The shoulder-launched missiles can shoot down aircraft. Photo: US Army

Germany donated 25 Flakpanzer Gepard all-weather-capable self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. AFP

The High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, can simultaneously launch several precision-guided missiles. The US has given Ukraine projectiles with a range of about 130 kilometres. EPA

M777 howitzers and about 300,000 shells have been donated to give Ukraine an accurate artillery platform with a range of 50 kilometres. EPA

Ukraine has been sent at least 5,000 of the anti-tank weapons known as NLAWs. These shoulder-launched rockets have proved deadly in the field. PA

Ukrainian troops have also received thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles. Bloomberg

Poland and the Czech Republic sent Russian-made T72 tanks, which Ukraine has used for decades, to ease integration and cut down training time. EPA

France as announced its plan to give AMX-10 RC “scout tanks” to Ukraine. "This is the first time that western-made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," a French official said. AFP

Shortly after the French, the US said it would send Bradley fighting vehicles to provide "a level of firepower and armour that would bring advantages on the battlefield”. Reuters

The UK sent their phased-out Saxon armoured vehicles. They found new life protecting infantry units in transit and dealing with tough off-road conditions. Getty Images

Denmark has supplied Harpoon anti-ship launchers to help Ukraine defend its coasts. AFP

The US sent 20 Soviet and Russian made Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine that had initially been bought for the Afghan government in 2010. AP

Germany has also supplied its latest version of the IRIS-T air defence system designed to shoot down missiles at altitudes up to 20 kilometres. Getty Images

Ukraine has also been given thousands of small arms, bullet proof vests, medical kits, litres of fuel, granades and other weapons systems. Reuters

Mr Reznikov did not say on Sunday if he planned to stay on at the ministry, but that only Mr Zelenskyy 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."

An internal audit of procurement procedures was under way at the Defence Ministry, he said.

What sending western tanks to Ukraine will mean - video

Mr Reznikov said the ministry's own anti-corruption department had "failed" to do its job and needed to be "completely rebooted".

With corruption a key European concern, Ukraine's government has increased work to clean up its act, launching high-profile raids this week against an oligarch with political connections, and a former interior minister.

Mr Reznikov also urged the West to send warplanes, after Germany and the US finally agreed to supply heavy tanks following weeks of deliberations.

"I am sure that we will win this war," Mr Reznikov said, but without western jets, "it will cost us more lives".