Ukraine Russia news – live: Zelensky changes defence minister Oleksii Reznikov over scandal in wartime reshuffle

Ukraine is changing its defence minister Oleksii Reznikov, according to a leading ally of president Volodymyr Zelensky, following pressure over a corruption scandal at the ministry.

His elimination belongs to a “strengthening and regrouping” as Ukraine braces for Vladimir Putin to possibly launch a significant offensive on the anniversary of Russia’s intrusion, stated David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of Mr Zelensky’s Servant of individuals celebration.

He has actually dealt with extreme pressure because accusations initially broke in Ukrainiain media on 23 January of the ministry making wartime purchases of military provisions at inflated rates – claims now based on a main examination.

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Canada’s very first Leopard 2 primary fight tank contributed to Ukraine for the continuing war has actually reached Poland today, the North American country’s defence minister revealed.

“The first Canadian Leopard 2 main battle tank that we’ve donated to Ukraine has now arrived in Poland. Alongside our allies, we’ll soon be training the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the use of this equipment,” Ms Anand stated as she shared the visuals of the enormous fight tank in Poland.

The Ukrainian defence minister has actually stated that any choice about his possible exit from the leading ministry depended on Volodymyr Zelensky.

He included that his transfer to a brand-new ministry was news to him. Previously on Sunday, he informed Ukrainian news media that the choice remained in Mr Zelensky’s hands.

“If I suddenly received such an offer from the president of Ukraine or the prime minister, I would refuse it, because I do not have the expertise,” Mr Reznikov stated.

The 56-year-old face of Ukraine’s defence ministry throughout the continuing war promoted Kyiv’s ties with Western defence authorities and assisted manage the invoice of billions of dollars of military help to help Kyiv ward off the Russian intrusion.

Reznikov singled out Ukraine‘s “de facto” integration into the Nato military alliance as a top priority, even if joining the bloc was not immediately possible de jure.

But Ukrainian defence ministry has been hit by a corruption scandal over an army food contract that envisaged paying vastly inflated prices. It caused a public outcry.

One of his deputy ministers has been fired, and two other senior officials have also since left their posts.

In an interview with journalist Hanoch Daum and self-published on Bennett’s own YouTube channel, Mr Bennett stated: “I knew Zelensky was under threat, in a bunker… I said to him [Putin], ‘Do you intend to kill Zelensky?’ He said, ‘I won’t kill Zelensky’.

“I then said to him ‘I have to understand that you’re giving me your word that you won’t kill Zelensky.’ He said ‘I’m not going to kill Zelensky.’”

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Ukraine is “ready” and able to protect itself ought to Vladimir Putin select to launch a significant offensive on the anniversary of Russia’s intrusion, Kyiv’s outbound defence minister Oleksii Reznikov has actually stated.

Kyiv has actually produced the reserves to keep back Moscow’s forces, although the most recent Western military products will not all show up in time for 24 February, Mr Reznikov informed press reporters.

However in a terrible individual twist, a leading ally of president Volodymyr Zelensky showed simply hours later on that Ukraine’s effort to reinforce its defences would include Mr Reznikov’s own resignation – as he revealed strategies to change him with a spy chief.

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Volodymyr Zelensky shared an upgrade from the war frontlines and stated that Donetsk is dealing with a difficult circumstance.

“It is very difficult in the Donetsk region – there are fierce battles. But no matter how hard it is and no matter how much pressure there is, we have to withstand it. We have to use and we do use every day and every week to reinforce our defence at the front, to strengthen our international position, to increase pressure on Russia and to give our people new opportunities to get through this difficult time,” Mr Zelensky stated in his nighttime address.

He included: “There are already many reports that the occupiers want to do something symbolic in February. To try to avenge their last year’s defeats. We see this increased pressure in various areas of the frontline, as well as pressure in the information field.”

The bodies of 2 British volunteers who flew to eastern Ukraine following the Russian intrusion in 2015 have actually been recuperated as part of a detainee swap with Russia.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff verified that the bodies of Chris Parry, 28, and Andrew Bagshaw, 47, had actually been gone back to Ukraine.

It is not yet understood when they will be handed to British embassy staff to be returned home.

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