Russia is sending more reserves and equipment into eastern Ukraine, says the governor of the Luhansk region, adding that shelling was no longer round-the-clock as Russian forces prepare for a full-scale offensive.
KYIV, Ukraine – Ukraine sent mixed messages over the fate of its defense minister on Monday, February 6, leaving a key post in its war effort in doubt even as it braces for a new Russian offensive.
David Arakhamia, chief of the parliamentary bloc of Zelenskiy’s party, had said the head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, would take over the defense ministry, while Reznikov would be made minister of strategic industries. Zelenskiy has touted the crackdown as an opportunity to demonstrate that Kyiv can be a safe steward of billions of dollars of Western aid. But it risks destabilizing the leadership after nearly a year in which Kyiv’s political class had solidly united against Russia’s invasion.
Two senior lawmakers on Monday noted the defense minister must be a civilian – an apparent obstacle to his immediate replacement by Budanov, a 37-year-old military officer. But Zelenskiy adviser Mykhailo Podolyak noted on Sunday that Reznikov was respected by allies: “Reznikov was extremely efficient in terms of communication with our partners. And this is a very important component in this case.
Budanov, identified by Arakhamia as Reznikov’s replacement, is an enigmatic young officer decorated for his role in secret operations, who rapidly rose through the ranks to head up the military’s Main Directorate of Intelligence.Ukraine is planning its own counter-offensive, but waiting on promised Western battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
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