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Ukraine defence chief says audit underway after corruption scandals
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Ukraine defence chief says audit underway after corruption scandals
by AFP Staff Writers
Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) Feb 5, 2023

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said Sunday that an audit of procurement contracts was underway after corruption scandals but declined to confirm reports that he could soon be forced to resign.

"We have started an internal audit" of all procurement contracts, Reznikov told reporters, but declined to say if he would stay on as defence minister.

"It is one person -- the commander-in-chief, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky -- who decides whether I will be defence minister or not," he said.

"My specialisation as a lawyer allows me to think optimistically that I will definitely find an interesting project for myself that will allow us not only to win the war, but also to punish the military and political leadership of the Russian Federation later," he added.

The Ukrainska Pravda news website, citing unidentified sources, reported that Reznikov, 56, could next week be replaced by Kyrylo Budanov, the 37-year-old head of military intelligence.

Reznikov, who studied law, might be appointed justice minister, Ukrainska Pravda said.

One of the best-known faces of Ukraine's war effort, Reznikov was appointed defence minister in November 2021 and has been overseeing the armed forces throughout Russia's invasion of Ukraine that began on February 24 last year.

He has also helped secure Western weapons to buttress Ukrainian forces.

But his ministry has lately been beset by corruption scandals, and defence officials were among a dozen figures forced to resign last month in the biggest political shakeup in Ukraine since the launch of Moscow's assault.

Reznikov's deputy Vyacheslav Shapovalov, who worked on providing logistical support for the army, resigned after the defence ministry was accused of signing food contracts at prices two to three times higher than current rates for basic foodstuffs.

Ukraine to replace defence minister after corruption scandals: MP
Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) Feb 5, 2023 - Ukraine's defence minister will be preplaced by the chief of the military intelligence ahead of an expected Russian offensive and following corruption scandals, a senior lawmaker said on Sunday.

"Kyrylo Budanov will head the defence ministry, which is absolutely logical in wartime," said senior lawmaker David Arakhamia, referring to the 37-year-old chief of the military intelligence.

Reznikov, 56, will be appointed minister for strategic industries, the lawmaker said without specifying a timeline for the planned re-shuffle.

"War dictates personnel policies," added Arakhamia.

"Time and circumstances require reinforcement and regrouping. This is happening now and will continue to happen in the future," he added.

"The enemy is preparing to advance. We are preparing to defend ourselves."

One of the best-known faces of Ukraine's war effort, Reznikov was appointed defence minister in November 2021 and has helped secure Western weapons to buttress Ukrainian forces.

But his ministry has been beset by corruption scandals.

Reznikov's deputy was forced to resign in late January after the ministry was accused of signing food contracts at prices two to three times higher than current rates for basic foodstuffs.

Speaking to reporters earlier Sunday, Reznikov did not say if he planned to stay on at the ministry.

But he added that only President Volodymyr Zelensky, who last week stepped up efforts to clamp down on corruption, could decide his fate.

"The stress that I have endured this year is hard to measure precisely. I am not ashamed of anything," Reznikov said. "My conscience is absolutely clear."

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