In July, President Zelenskyj announced a restructuring of the government. Today is apparently the “day of dismissals,” as the leader of the ruling party put it. It is to be announced who all has to go.
At least six Ukrainian government officials, including cabinet members, have submitted their resignations. “As promised, a major government restructuring is to be expected this week,” said the ruling party's parliamentary group leader, David Arachamija, on the online service Telegram. According to the statement, “more than 50 percent” of government members are to be replaced.
The government officials who announced their resignation on Tuesday evening include the ministers for strategic industries, justice and environmental protection. The head of the State Property Fund, Vitaly Koval, and the deputy prime ministers Irina Vereshchuk and Olga Stefanishyna also resigned.
Head of the Electricity network operator dismissed
The full list is to be announced at a parliamentary group meeting on Wednesday. Then “we will have a day of dismissals, the day after that a day of appointments,” Arachamija announced.
It had previously been announced that the head of the power grid operator Ukrenerho, Volodymyr Kudrytsky, had been dismissed by the board of the state-owned company. Kudrytsky had headed Ukrenerho since 2020. However, he was recently accused of inadequate protection measures for the country's substations against Russian drone and missile attacks. Since a massive attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure at the beginning of last week, Ukraine has again been experiencing hours-long unplanned power outages due to the electricity deficit.
Renovation announced in July
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a government restructuring in July. Five ministries are already being headed by caretaker ministers. Since the war began around two and a half years ago, he has repeatedly restructured his government. Last September, he dismissed his defense minister after a series of corruption scandals. He recently replaced his army chief after a series of setbacks on the battlefield.
Zelensky's own term would normally have ended in May. However, in the event of war, the Ukrainian constitution – like that of other states – provides for special rules, which is why the president remains in office under martial law.
