Zelensky replaces Ukraine's defence minister Reznikov

KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Snuday announced he was replacing Kyiv's defence minister Oleksiy Reznikov, calling for "new approaches" in the ministry, a year and a half into Russia's invasion.

Reznikov, appointed three months before Moscow's invasion, has led Kyiv's negotiations to equip its forces with modern weaponry from allies.

His dismissal comes in the midst of Kyiv's counteroffensive and during Ukraine's general push against corruption as per EU requests.

"Oleksiy Reznikov has been through more than 550 days of full-scale war," Zelensky said in his daily evening address. "I believe that the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society at large."

He nominated Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar who has been head of the State Property Fund since last year, to replace Reznikov.

"Now Rustem Umerov should be the head of the (defence) ministry," Zelensky said in his evening address. "I expect parliament to support this candidate."

Reznikov, a 57-year-old lawyer with little military experience, has become one of the best-known faces of Kyiv's war effort. - AFP