Ukrainian government: resignations, dismissals, arrests

The death of a minister and allegations of corruption are forcing President Zelenskyy’s government to deal with itself in the midst of the war. High-ranking posts have to be reassigned – also in Zelenskyj’s immediate vicinity.

Government crisis and cabinet reshuffle in the middle of the war – a week of dramatic events and domestic political challenges began for President Volodymyr Zelenskyj when Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky, his deputy and state secretary and 14 other people died in a helicopter crash near Kyiv last Wednesday.

Selenskyj, who now has to find a new head for the ministry under great time pressure, spoke of a “tragedy for the country”. It brings together many different departments and is responsible for areas that are important during the war, such as the police, fire brigade, border guards and the National Guard – areas that now have to do without a minister during the war.

Alleged cases of corruption in the Ministry of Defense

At the same time, two ministries are shaken by suspected corruption scandals. The Department of Defense is said to have bought overpriced groceries for soldiers in the hinterland – prices up to three times higher than retail prices. The contract is said to have covered the equivalent of a good 300 million euros.

Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov was therefore invited before the Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, on Monday and had to face questioning. Regarding the allegations, he said on his Facebook page that there were misunderstandings and promised transparency in the clarification.

But events are developing rapidly these days. In the morning, Reznikov’s deputy, Vyacheslav Shapalov, resigned. In writing, he explained that it was a campaign against the Department of Defense, but that out of concern for more important issues in the war, he was taking responsibility and resigning.

Deputy Infrastructure Minister in custody

The case of Deputy Infrastructure Minister Wassyl Losynsky is clearer. He is said to have accepted a bribe of the equivalent of $400,000 to buy generators. He was dismissed from office and arrested on charges of corruption.

The investigating judge of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine ruled that he remains in detention for the time being or has to pay bail of the equivalent of 2.3 million euros.

Two other deputy infrastructure ministers also resigned. They also seem to be linked to the allegations of corruption. Other employees of the ministry are still being investigated.

Personnel changes also in the presidential administration

Even more headline-grabbing, however, is the resignation of Kyrylo Tymoshenko. The deputy head of the presidential administration submitted his resignation in the morning.

Investigative journalists reported last year that Tymoshenko had used an SUV donated by General Motors as a company car – but the car was originally intended for the evacuation of civilians from the contested areas. Tymoshenko justified himself: he had driven the car to front areas on business.

Also last year, allegations were made that Tymoshenko had embezzled humanitarian aid to the Zaporizhia region. He denied the allegations.

Tymoshenko, like Zelensky, comes from the film industry and is said to have been very close to the Ukrainian president. Critics point out that his dismissal will make the already very powerful head of the presidential office – Andriy Yermak – even more powerful.

What exactly led to Tymoshenko’s departure is unclear for the time being. The restructuring of the government also affects Zelenskyj’s immediate environment.

urge personnel decisions

The death of the interior minister and his deputy, as well as numerous resignations, force the government and the president to make urgent personnel decisions. The country is more dependent than ever on a stable government, especially now that the war is on – and on visible successes in the fight against corruption in the country.

Because only then will urgently needed EU loans continue to flow. This year alone, the country is to receive 15 billion euros from Brussels.