Zelenskyy, who made the announcement on his official Telegram account, wrote that new leadership was needed after Umerov "has gone through more than 550 days of full-scale war."
The Ukrainian leader later confirmed that Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar lawmaker, would take over the role.
"I have decided to replace the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Oleksii Reznikov has gone through more than 550 days of full-scale war.
I believe that the Ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society at large. Now Rustem Umerov should lead the Ministry,” Zelenskyy said.
Umerov, 41, a politician with the opposition Holos party, has served as head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine since September 2022.
He was involved in the exchange of prisoners of war, political prisoners, children and civilians, as well as the evacuation of civilians from occupied territories.
Umierov was also part of the Ukrainian delegation in negotiations with Russia over the U.N.-backed grain deal.
In August, a scandal arose around the Ministry of Defense’s procurement of military jackets.
In August, a scandal arose around the Ministry of Defense’s procurement of military jackets.
Ukrainian investigative journalists reported that the materials were purchased at a price three times higher than normal and that instead of winter jackets, summer ones were ordered.
In the customs documents from the supplier, the jackets were priced at $29 per unit, but the Ministry of Defense paid $86 per unit. Reznikov denied the allegations during a news conference last week.
President Joe Biden told reporters in Delaware on Sunday that he’s aware Zelenskyy had replaced his defense chief. Asked if he had any comment, Biden said, "not publicly."
President Joe Biden told reporters in Delaware on Sunday that he’s aware Zelenskyy had replaced his defense chief. Asked if he had any comment, Biden said, "not publicly."
