John Adoyi, PBA Journalism MenteeJohn Adoyi, PBA Journalism Mentee
Ukraine’s cabinet on Monday, fired six deputy defense Ministers and the secretary of the defense agency following corruption allegations as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine rages on.
The sacking of all six defense Ministers: Hanna Maliar, Volodymyr Havrylov, Rostyslav Zamlynskyi, Denys Sharapov, Andrii Shevchenko, Vitalii Deineha and Defense Secretary, Kostiantyn Vashchenko comes days after the Minister of Defense, Oleksii Reznikov was sacked by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following reports of massive fraud in the Defense ministry during his time in office.
Taras Melnichuk, the representative of the Government in the Ukrainian Parliament broke the news on his official Telegram Channel but did not immediately give reasons. However, Journalists found out that Mr. Reznikov’s office was involved in fraudulent businesses in terms of procuring equipment for the military. The Defense Ministry purchased military jackets for three times the actual price.
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, the Jackets were valued at $142,000 but the final price somehow stood at $421,000.
Similarly, it was found that the ministry was buying food for the army at double the price in the country.
Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine began over one year ago, top military officers have been sacked for their involvement in illegal activities that undermined the activities of the army in trying to push Russia out of its country.
In early August, the heads of the military recruitment centres were sacked. Prime Business Africa reported that a total of 112 cases were opened for investigation after allegations were brought up by persons who alleged that the military heads were enriching themselves and pertaking in other criminal activities in recruitment centres across the country.
Rustem Umerov replaced Mr. Reznikov as Defense Minister.
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his forces recaptured a village close to Bakhmut.
Bakhmut has been at the centre of the Ukraine-Russia conflict since it began a year ago. It witnessed the most prolonged and most brutal conflict that has displaced the citizens of the city which used to be around 70 thousand. A counter offensive has been going on from the Ukrainian army to take back the entire city from the Russians.
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