Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky sacked Defense Minister Oleksiy in the middle of the war, now he will get command

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken a big step amidst the war with Russia. On Sunday, Zelensky sacked Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov. Oleksiy will be replaced by Crimean MP Rustam Umerov.

Zelensky announced on his official Telegram account that the more than 550-day war needed new leadership like Umerov. Zelensky further said that he believes that the Ministry of Defense needs to increase interaction with both the military and the civilian population in new approaches and under various formats.

Umerov, 41, of the opposition Holos party, has served as the head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine since September 2022. He was also involved in the safe evacuation of prisoners of war, civilians, and children from occupied territories. Umerov was also part of the Ukrainian delegation at the talks with Russia on a UN-backed grain deal.

In August, a scandal broke out over the purchase of military jackets by the Defense Ministry, leading to talk of Oleksiy's removal. Ukrainian investigative journalists revealed that military equipment was purchased at prices three times higher than normal and that summer jackets were ordered instead of winter jackets.

In the supplier's customs documents, the jacket was priced at US$29 per unit, but the Ministry of Defense paid US$86 per unit. Reznikov denied the allegations during a press conference last week.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said in Delaware on Sunday that he knew Zelensky had replaced his defense chief. However, he declined to comment on it.