The probable intensification of the Russian offensive and the discovered cases of corruption would motivate such demands
“Servant of the People”, the party of Ukrainian President Volodímir Zelensky, believes that, following the recent cases of corruption discovered and given the expected intensification of the Russian offensive, reconstruction should take place within the area of Government security, which would primarily affect Defense Minister Oleksii Réznikov, whose resignation has been discussed following the layoffs of his associates last month.
The person responsible for conveying to the media the existence of such plans was the head of the parliamentary faction of the ‘Servidor del Pueblo’ formation, David Arajamía, who pointed out on Sunday that “the war is the policy dictates from cadres – within government, time and circumstances call for strengthening and regrouping. This is happening now and it will happen in the future.”
In his words: “Reznikov will be transferred to the Ministry of Strategic Industry to strengthen military-industrial cooperation with Western countries”. According to Arajamía’s point of view, “at this stage, the power departments should not be led by politicians, but by professional security officials. The enemy is preparing to attack and we are preparing to defend ourselves and take back what is ours.”
According to the spokesman of the presidential and majority party in the Rada (parliament), Reznikov will be replaced by General Kirilo Budanov, hitherto head of the Central Intelligence Directorate (GUR). The head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) would be in the hands of Vasili Maliuk and the Ministry of the Interior would have Igor Klimenko as its new head. However, on Monday, Arajamía stated through his Telegram channel that the changes he announced are not imminent. “Nothing will change at Defense this week,” he assured.
But Reznikov said in an interview with ‘Fakti ICTV’ that “neither the president nor the prime minister have offered me to head the Ministry of Strategic Industry”, further emphasizing that “if I suddenly received such an offer (.. .) I would reject it, because I do not have the experience that would allow me to be the quality head of that ministry, it would be a mistake » In his opinion, “I have no reason to be ashamed of anything” during his time at the Ministry of Defense.The current Minister of Strategic Industry is Pavlo Riabikin, who is also unaware of his possible resignation.
This new outbreak of crisis occurs when, according to Zelensky, the situation at the front is very “difficult”. He warned that “many reports indicate that the occupiers want to do something symbolic in February to try and avenge their defeats of last year. We feel that increasing pressure in different parts of the frontline.” He referred in particular to the “heavy fighting” in the Donbas region.
Both sides confirm the existence of “fierce” clashes in Bakhmut. The head of the Wagner mercenaries, Evgueni Prigozhin, whose battalions have been fighting in the Bakhmut area for months, has acknowledged that the Ukrainian army is resisting and not retreating. However, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Monday that Moscow troops had succeeded in taking the town of Nikolayevka, in the Donetsk region.
Reznikov has stated in statements to Ukrainskaya Pravda newspaper that Russian troops are preparing for an attack from three directions, east, south and north. “The enemy is now grouping large concentrations of troops – effectively and technically – in the south and north and then trying again from the north,” he said. This estimate is consistent with that of the GUR, which also speaks of attempts by the Russian army to contractually mobilize more soldiers.
Serhiy Gaidai, the head of Lugansk’s Kiev-loyal military administration, is convinced that “a new offensive of the occupiers from Lugansk can begin at any time from February 15″. According to their records, they are preparing the armored vehicles they have hidden in wooded areas to carry out the attack.”
Zelensky last month fired several senior officials for corruption, including deputy defense minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov. The Ukrainian leader described the layoffs as “necessary”. He stated that “all internal issues that hinder the functioning of the state are and will be eliminated (…) it is necessary for our defense and it helps our rapprochement with the European institutions.”
On January 21, the Ukrainian weekly ‘Zérkalo Nidieli’ published material about the alleged corruption of Defense Ministry officials, who, according to information, bought food products for the army at “very high prices, two or three times higher than retail prices”. . And that while the troops on the front lines are fighting hard against the Russian invasion and the population is suffering the hardships of the war.
Shapovalov was responsible for the logistics of the Ukrainian armed forces. However, ‘Zérkalo Nidieli’ accused Réznikov of the irregularities, who called the allegations in the journalistic investigation ‘baseless’. He pointed out that Shapovalov is “leaving to avoid threatening the stability of the army’s supply” in the face of foreseeable outrage among Western allies.
Corruption-related problems have haunted Ukraine for some time now. Transparency International ranked the country 122nd out of 180 countries in corruption. Implementing reforms to end this scourge has become one of the main demands of the European Union to allow Ukraine into its midst after Kyiv was granted candidate status in 2022. all kinds of aid, including the military.
On the other hand, the Rada on Monday approved another three-month extension of martial law and general mobilization, for the sixth time since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Ukraine declared martial law and general mobilization on February 24, 2022, just a few hours after the attack by the Russian army began.
Source: La Verdad
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