Personal News
Series of resignations in Ukraine following a corruption scandal
Several senior Ukrainian officials today announced their resignations following press revelations of alleged purchases of army supplies at inflated prices.
The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian Presidency, Kyrylo Timoshenko, said on Tuesday that he had asked President Volodymyr Zelensky the day before to relieve him of his duties. “I thank the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, for the confidence and the possibility of doing good deeds every day and every minute”, wrote Mr. Timoshenko on the Telegram messaging app. Kyrylo Timoshenko, who Ukrainian media reported could be part of changes to government teams announced by Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, gave no reason for his departure. An executive order accepting his resignation was posted on the president’s website. He should be replaced by Oleksii Kuleba, the head of the kyiv region’s military administration.
Ukraine’s president said on Monday personnel changes would be announced this week in the government, regions and security forces, following accusations of corruption, nearly a year after the Russian invasion . Kyrylo Timoshenko, 33, had been deputy chief of staff for the Ukrainian presidency since 2019, overseeing regional policies. He also worked with Mr. Zelensky during his election campaign, where he oversaw media and creative content. According to Ukrainian media, Mr. Timoshenko has been embroiled, since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, in several scandals related to his personal use of expensive cars. He denied all these accusations.
In addition to Kyrylo Timoshenko, Viatcheslav Chapovalov resigned from the post of Deputy Defense Minister: he was responsible for the logistical support of the armed forces. Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiï Simonenko has also resigned: he is accused of having gone on vacation to Marbella for ten days to celebrate the New Year with his family, reports the Ukrainian press.
In a speech on Monday evening, Volodymyr Zelensky said changes would be made over the next twenty-four hours in senior government and regional posts. In the past, Mr. Zelensky has promised to fight corruption at all levels, amid a series of accusations of bribes and questionable practices among the ruling political class.
These announcements come after the arrest of Vassyl Lozynsky, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, on suspicion of having received a $400,000 bribe for ” facilitate “ buying generators at inflated prices as the country faces widespread power cuts following Russian strikes on energy infrastructure.
Other resignations should be announced during the day.
