Zelensky fires all six of his defense ministers without explanation, weeks after letting go of top military chief amid allegations of graft and corruption
- All six deputy defense chiefs have been dismissed abruptly and without explanation
- Ukraine says the decision was taken during a cabinet meeting on Monday
- It comes after Zelensky fired his top defense chief over corruption allegations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has fired all six of his deputy defense ministers without explanation, weeks after dismissing his top defense minister Go.
The Ukrainian Cabinet said the decision was made today, according to a report revealing the mass resignations.
No explanation was given as to why Vladimir Gavrilov, 65, Rostyslav Zamlynskii, 47, Hanna Maliar, 45, Denis Sharapov, 50, Vitalii Deineha and Kostiantyn Vashchenko, 50, were all dismissed.
But the move comes just two weeks after Zelensky fired his wartime defense chief amid allegations of bribery and corruption.
Oleksii Reznikov’s tenure as Ukraine’s wartime defense chief was marred by serious allegations of corruption, which he denied.
He was accused of making a deal with a Turkish winter uniform company that “tripled” its value.
President Zelensky (pictured) has cracked down on wartime corruption and recently pushed for the issue to be criminally treated as if it were treason
Ukrainian journalists also proved that the military uniforms could have been purchased at a significantly lower price.
He said in response to the allegations at the time: ‘I urge everyone to deal with information more critically and responsibly, because it misleads society and, worse, misleads our partners, because from the outside you would say that it is a disaster is.
‘Everything was done in accordance with the Public Procurement Act… (and ‘through tender procedures.’)
Reznikov also became embroiled in a high-level investigation, which alleged that the Ukrainian Defense Ministry had signed a food and catering contract worth 13 billion hryvnias (£278 million) that had been grossly inflated.
Although Reznikov did not personally sign this deal, critics said he was ultimately responsible and pointed to his zero-tolerance policy toward corruption.
He admitted at the time that his ministry’s anti-corruption services “failed in their task.”
Ukraine has cracked down on wartime corruption, with President Zelensky tending in recent weeks to equate it with treason, while a growing number of Ukrainians believe he is responsible for the country’s ongoing corruption.
Former Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov (photo) was embroiled in several corruption allegations
Zelenskiy began the process of changing the law after yet another case of wartime corruption came to light, with two high-ranking Ukrainian officials named as suspects in an embezzlement scheme to obtain humanitarian aid.
“I don’t know if Ukrainian parliamentarians will support my idea, but I will definitely propose it… We need to make systemic changes. This is the way to fight corruption,” Zelensky said.
“I have set a task and the lawmakers of Ukraine will receive my proposals on equating corruption with high treason in wartime.
“I understand that such a weapon cannot function continuously in society, but in times of war I think it will help.”
The crackdown on corruption comes as Ukraine seeks to join the European Union.
The EU has drawn up a seven-step plan for Ukraine to follow if it wants to join the EU.
This includes strengthening anti-corruption efforts, combating money laundering and passing laws that reduce the power of oligarchs in the country.
MailOnline has contacted the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense for comment.