Ukraine pledges sweeping personnel changes as allies jostle over corruption

There are reports of a new scandal in Ukraine. The country has a history of poor governance and disputes over the transfer of Kyiv German-made Leopard2 tanks to Europe. This is the mainstay of European armies that Ukraine needs to break through Russian lines.

Zelenskiy stated Monday (23 January) in his  nightlyvideo address that there are personnel decisions already - some of which will be made today, and some tomorrow - concerning officials at different levels in ministries and other central government structure, as well in the regions and law enforcement.

Zelenskiy did not name the replacement officials but stated that he planned to tighten oversight of travel abroad for official assignments.

Numerous media outlets in Ukraine reported that senior officials and cabinet ministers could be fired as soon as possible.

Anti-corruption officers claimed that they had taken the deputy minister of infrastructure into custody on Sunday. They were alleged to have received a $400,000 kickback for the import of generators in September. This is an allegation which the minister refutes.

An investigation in a newspaper found that the Defence Ministry had overpaid suppliers for food for soldiers. According to the supplier, there was no money exchanged and it had made a technical error.

Zelenskiy's Servant of the People leader David Arakhamia said that officials should "focus upon the war, help victims and cut bureaucracy, and stop dubious businesses".

"We will definitely be in jail this spring. He said that if the humane approach fails, we will use martial law to make it work.

'SPRING WILL BE DECISIVE'

The battlefront front has been frozen for nearly two months, despite heavy losses from both sides.

According to Ukraine, Western tanks will give ground troops the firepower they need to attack Russian defense lines and re-engage their advance. However, the Western allies were unable to agree on arming Kyiv tanks to stop Moscow's escalated moves.

Berlin must approve Leopard reexports. Berlin has indicated that it is open to acting quickly if there is consensus among allies.

Mateusz Morawiecki is the Polish prime minister. His country borders Ukraine. He said Warsaw would ask permission to send Leopard tanks into Kyiv and that he was working to get other countries on board.

The European Union's top diplomat stated Monday that Germany is not blocking Ukraine's re-exportation of Leopard tanks.

American legislators have asked their government to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. They claim that even a symbolic number will help European allies do the same.

Britain has confirmed that it will supply 14 Challenger 2 tank. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he does not rule out sending Leclerc tanks.

Moscow tried to exert its own pressure.

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, stated that all countries who participated directly or indirectly in pumping weapons into Ukraine or raising its technological level are responsible for the continuation of the conflict.

Russia and Ukraine are believed to be planning spring offensives in order to end the war of attrition that has erupted in southern and eastern Ukraine.

Vadym skibitsky, deputy head for Ukraine's military intelligence said that if the planned major Russian offensive fails, it would be the ruin of Russia, Putin and Russia." In an interview with Delfi, Vadym Skibitsky stated, "If the major Russian invasion planned for this time succeeds, it will cause the ruin of Russia, Putin, and others."

Two people were injured and one person died in the Russian shelling of Chasiv Yar's residential area on Monday. The attack damaged at least nine high rise buildings, Pavlo Cyrylenko, governor for Donetsk, stated on Telegram.

"The Russians are terrorizing and murdering the civilian population. He said that the Russians will be punished for their actions.

Reuters was unable to independently verify battlefield reports.

'ACTING AGAINST THE WEST'

Russia's rhetoric has changed over the past 11 months from describing the invasion of Ukraine as an operation to "denazify and demilitarise" its neighbor to referring to it as a defense against an aggressive West. It is a provocation of aggression, Kyiv and its Western allies consider it.

The new Russian general in charge for military operations in Ukraine said Monday that Russia has never experienced such "intense military hostilities", prompting it to launch offensive operations.

"Our country and its armed force are acting today against the whole collective West," Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff, told Argumenty i Fakty.

He said that the military reforms announced in January could be modified to address threats to Russia's security. These include Sweden's and Finland's aspirations for NATO membership and "the use Ukraine as a weapon for waging hybrid war against our country."

Ukraine placed sanctions against 22 Russians who were associated with the Russian Orthodox church for what President Zelenskiy called their support of genocide in the disguise of religion.

Share this article: