Reznikov's departure comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky follows through on his plans to replace the minister with Rustem Umerov, a prominent Crimean Tatar currently leading Ukraine’s State Property Fund, news agencies reported.
In a statement posted on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, Reznikov highlighted the accomplishments of his 22 months at the helm of Ukraine's defense ministry. He praised the nation's resistance against Russian aggression and its efforts to secure military support from Western nations.
"More than 50 percent of the territories temporarily occupied by Russia have already been liberated," Reznikov said. "Every day our defenders are advancing," he added.
But his tenure as Ukraine's defense minister was not without controversies. These included scandals over the procurement of essential supplies such as food and clothing, as well as concerns over bureaucratic snarl-ups, the Reuters news agency reported.
Reznikov has denied any wrongdoing. He addressed these issues in his letter of resignation, highlighting the reforms he had carried out in procurement and purchasing systems during his time in office.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Monday is day 558 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP, Reuters