On September 6, the Parliament of Ukraine approved the appointment of Rustem Umerov as Minister of Defence.
41-year-old Umerov will replace Oleksii Reznikov. The former Defence Minister helped secure billions of dollars in military support for Ukraine, but was accused of corruption and fired by President Vladimir Zelensky on Sunday.
Mr. Reznikov claimed he was accused of corruption and became a victim of slander. However, it is expected that his removal will not affect the overall military strategy of Ukraine.
Having received the support of the parliament, Rustem Umerov designated victory as the main goal of Ukraine.
“I will do everything possible and impossible for Ukraine’s victory – when we will liberate every centimetre of our country and each our person.”
The Ministry of Defence commented on his appointment with a laconic statement on X (former Twitter):
“Welcome aboard, Minister.”
Prior to his appointment, Crimean Tatar Umerov headed Ukraine’s main privatization agency, the State Property Fund, for about a year. He is also responsible for the liquidation of this institution, as well as the resumption of attempts to sell unprofitable state-owned companies to private investors, despite martial law.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal hopes that the new minister will quickly take up the duties and continue reforming the defence sector.
“To head the defence institution during the full-scale war with Russia is a big responsibility.”
