Kyiv: In a significant shake-up at a critical moment in the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine’s minister responsible for weapons production resigned on Tuesday, anticipating a new defense role. Alongside him, four other ministers stepped down, including Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, and the justice, environment, and reintegration ministers. This exodus leaves over a third of the cabinet vacant following previous dismissals earlier this year.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his political allies are expected to fill these positions as they prepare for Zelenskiy’s upcoming visit to the United States, where he plans to present a “victory plan” to U.S. President Joe Biden, a crucial ally.
“Autumn will be extremely important for Ukraine. And our state institutions should be configured so that Ukraine achieves all the results that we need—for all of us,” Zelenskiy stated in his evening address. He further emphasized the need for strengthening certain government areas and preparing for changes in the presidential office.
Zelenskiy also dismissed Rostyslav Shurma, one of his deputy chiefs of staff responsible for economic matters, according to a decree published on the presidential website. David Arakhamia, a senior lawmaker from Zelenskiy’s party, indicated that a “major government reset” is underway, with more than half of the ministers expected to change. “Tomorrow a day of sackings awaits us, and a day of appointments the day after,” he said.
Stefanishyna, who has focused on Ukraine’s bids to join the European Union and NATO, may be appointed to head a larger ministry that merges her previous role with that of the justice ministry, according to a source cited by the Suspilne public broadcaster.
Kamyshin, who played a pivotal role in boosting Ukraine’s defense production, including the manufacture of attack drones and long-range missiles, is expected to continue working in the defense sector in a different capacity. “I will continue working in the defense sector but in a different role,” Kamyshin, aged 40 and a rising star in the government, wrote on Telegram. He had previously managed the national railways, a critical logistics component during the first year of the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion.
In the battlefield, Ukraine is pursuing a risky cross-border operation into Russia’s Kursk region as Moscow’s forces advance rapidly in eastern Ukraine. Russia has intensified its long-range missile strikes, with the deadliest attack of the year occurring on Tuesday when two ballistic missiles hit a military institute in Poltava, killing at least 50 people and wounding 271.
The anticipated government changes have been a topic of speculation since the summer. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has suggested the possibility of streamlining the government by consolidating several ministries. Currently, at least five portfolios, including those for agriculture and infrastructure, remain vacant following previous resignations or dismissals.
Opposition lawmaker Iryna Herashchenko criticized the situation, describing it as an “intellectual and personnel crisis” and calling for a government of national unity to counter the perceived concentration of power within Zelenskiy’s political team.
