corruption scandal
Zelenskyy’s deputy defense minister resigns
Following scandals surrounding corruption and enrichment in the state apparatus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced more decisive action against misconduct. photo
© Efrem Lukatsky/AP/dpa
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has been criticized for buying food for soldiers at inflated prices. Selenskyj wants to react with determination. Now there is a resignation.
Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Vyacheslav Shapovalov has resigned in connection with the scandal over the purchase of overpriced food for soldiers.
“Vyacheslav Shapovalov, who was responsible for supplying the Ukrainian armed forces in the rear, has asked for his dismissal,” the Defense Ministry said in Kyiv. The campaign against him would otherwise endanger the stable supply of the armed forces, it said.
Over the weekend, media reports in Ukraine caused a stir that the Defense Ministry was buying food to feed its soldiers at prices up to three times higher than retail prices in stores. The contract for 13 billion hryvnia (a good 300 million euros) is said to be about feeding the soldiers at the front, but in the rear.
Corruption and enrichment scandals
Head of state Volodymyr Zelenskyj had announced more decisive action against misconduct in the past few days after scandals surrounding corruption and enrichment in the state apparatus. A deputy minister was fired for allegedly taking bribes to buy power generators. Many citizens in Ukraine suspect parts of the leadership of enriching themselves in the course of the large financial aid from the West.
Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov denied the allegations on Monday. The aim is apparently to “undermine trust in the Ministry of Defense at a very important time,” he said. At the same time, the 56-year-old assured a transparent investigation of the incidents.
Zelenskyy fires deputy head of his presidential office
In addition, the deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, asked for Zelenskyy’s dismissal after criticism of his work.
Zelenskyy complied with the request and dismissed the top official from his post, according to a decree published on the president’s website. Tymoshenko thanked Zelenskyy on the Telegram news channel for the trust and the opportunity to work for the country in times of war.
Tymoshenko had previously caused a stir because he had been traveling in a US SUV that the car company General Motors had provided for the rescue of citizens from the combat zones in the war zone and for humanitarian missions. The official had defended his trips as official.
According to the Ukrainian media, Tymoshenko was also criticized for exceeding his duties as an official in the presidential administration in the regions and also for being politically active. The presidential elections in Ukraine are next year. Selenskyj has to fear competition from his own ranks.