Ukraine’s defense minister said on Thursday that hundreds of employees of the country’s ministry and armed forces had been disciplined over the past year after internal reviews, stressing that he had “zero tolerance” for corruption.
Reznikov’s remarks followed a scandal that forced one of his deputies from his post and sparked speculation about his own tenure.
Reznikov said that in 2022, 621 employees of the armed forces and the ministry were fined or reprimanded for violations committed.
“My principled position was, is and will remain unchanged – zero tolerance for any violation,” the minister wrote on Facebook. “All persons whose guilt is proven by the competent authorities bear and will bear the responsibility.”
Reznikov said all relevant documents were handed over to law enforcement after one of the deputies resigned last month following media reports that the ministry was buying food at inflated prices.
The MP and the department denied the allegations, but said the resignation of the deputy minister would help maintain public confidence.
A few days later, David Arakhamia, a senior member of the Ukrainian president’s Servant of the People party, said that Reznikov would be replaced as head of military intelligence.
Arakhamia later recanted, saying there would be no personnel changes this week.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyyy called for an end to “rumors or any other pseudo-information” that could undermine unity in Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.
In an interview with Reuters, the head of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC), Oleksiy Danilov, also reduced speculation about Reznikov’s dismissal, while stressing the importance of fighting corruption during the war.
“The fact that this is happening now is extremely inconvenient and difficult for us,” Danilov said. “But we need to know the truth, and…if this is confirmed, then those involved in this need to be held accountable.”
Reznikov said he would reset the Defense Ministry’s anti-corruption department and engage civilian anti-corruption experts and activists, in addition to other measures to promote transparency.
