Kyiv: In a sweeping move, Ukraine has witnessed the resignation of at least six high-ranking officials, including key Cabinet members, as part of an extensive government reshuffle. The shake-up, reported by BBC, includes the departure of Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska, Environmental Protection Minister Ruslan Strilets, Deputy Prime Ministers Olha Stefanishyna and Iryna Vereshchuk, and Vitaliy Koval, the head of Ukraine’s State Property Fund. Additionally, Rostyslav Shurma, a senior aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky, was dismissed by a presidential decree.
David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of the ruling Servant of the People party, confirmed that over 50% of the Cabinet would be replaced, with a series of appointments and dismissals expected in the coming days. This significant reshuffle comes as Ukraine continues to endure relentless Russian bombardments, particularly affecting its eastern regions and the Kursk incursion.
President Zelensky, who is preparing for a high-profile visit to the US next month, emphasized the need for governmental adjustments to achieve desired outcomes. He suggested that the reconfiguration would help address the current challenges and enhance the efficiency of state institutions. However, opposition MP Iryna Gerashchenko criticized the move as indicative of a deeper crisis, calling for a unity government and an end to Zelensky’s political dominance.
On the day of the reshuffle announcement, a tragic Russian strike on Poltava resulted in 51 deaths and 271 injuries. Zelensky vowed that Russia would be held accountable for this attack and reiterated the urgent need for increased Western air defense support to safeguard Ukraine from ongoing threats. Since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, President Zelensky has repeatedly overhauled his government, including the recent dismissals of Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and Kyiv’s top Commander Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Several key ministerial positions, such as infrastructure and agriculture, remain vacant.
