At least six Ukrainian officials, including members of the cabinet, have resigned ahead of an expected major government reshuffle.
The resignations left a number of senior government positions vacant, including the strategic industries minister responsible for weapons production.
The changes come as the parliamentary leader of the ruling Servant of the People party said half of the cabinet would be replaced this week in a major government reshuffle.
The shift comes as Ukraine continues to contend with daily Russian bombing of its cities and struggles to contain Moscow’s advances in the east, while also devoting resources to an invasion of Russia’s Kursk region.
Those who submitted their resignations on Tuesday included Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska, Environmental Protection Minister Ruslan Striles, Deputy Prime Ministers Olha Stefanishyna and Iryna Vereshchuk and Head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine Vitaliy Koval.
One of the president’s most senior aides, Rostyslav Shurma, was also fired by presidential decree.
David Arakhamia, parliamentary leader of the ruling Servant of the People party, wrote on Telegram: “As promised, major government changes are expected this week. More than 50% of cabinet personnel will change. “
“Tomorrow we will have dismissal day and the day after tomorrow will be appointment day,” he added.
In a nighttime video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said state institutions “should be configured so that Ukraine achieves all the results we need” ahead of next month’s planned visit to the United States, where he is expected to deliver a “victory plan” to Joe ·President Biden.
“To do this, we have to strengthen certain areas of government and are ready to adjust its composition. There will also be changes in the (presidential) office,” he said.
Opposition lawmaker Iryna Gerashchenko criticized the government reshuffle, saying it was “a government without ministers. A parliament without a single majority. The authorities turn a blind eye to an intellectual and personnel crisis.”
She called for the formation of a coalition government and an end to President Zelenskiy’s political team’s grip on power.
On the same day the change was announced, Russian attack on central city of Poltava kills 51 people and injures 271 others.
President Zelensky promised Russia would pay for the attack and repeatedly called on Western countries to provide more air defense systems “to protect us from Russian terrorist attacks.”
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Zelensky has reshuffled the government several times.
Last May he fired the defense minister Oleksiy Reznikov and sacked Kiev’s top commander following a series of corruption scandals Valery Zaluzhny earlier this year.
At least five government departments, including infrastructure and agriculture, have been vacant since ministers stepped down or were sacked earlier this year.
Zelensky’s first presidential term ends in May 2024, but he remains in office under martial law.
