A government shake-up in Ukraine has resulted in the resignation of the armaments chief and four ministers

At a crucial point in the conflict with Russia, four additional ministers stepped down in a significant government shake-up on Tuesday, while the minister of Ukrainian weapons manufacturing resigned in preparation of taking on a new defense position.

Following their dismissals earlier this year, over a third of the cabinet is now empty following the resignations of Oleksandr Kamyshin, the minister of strategic industries, Olha Stefanishyna, the deputy prime minister, and the ministries of justice, the environment, and reintegration.

Before he leaves for the United States later this month to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his political friends, he intends to propose a “victory plan” to U.S. President Joe Biden, a crucial ally.

“The fall season will be crucial for Ukraine. In his evening speech, Zelenskiy added, “And our state institutions should be set up so that Ukraine achieves all the results that we need-for all of us.”

“To do this, we need to fortify certain parts of the government, and adjustments to its composition have been planned. Additionally, the office of the President will undergo modifications.

Rostyslav Shurma, one of Zelenskiy’s deputy chiefs of staff who oversees the economy, has also been fired, according to an order posted on the president’s website.

Zelenskiy’s party senior lawmaker David Arakhamia announced that more than half of the minister’s changes will be part of a “major government reset”.

“Tomorrow a day of sackings awaits us, and a day of appointments the day after,” he stated.

The Suspilne public radio quoted a source in Zelenskiy’s party as suggesting that Stefanishyna, whose portfolio has focused on Kyiv’s attempt to join the European Union and NATO military alliance, could be chosen as head of a larger ministry that combines her previous function and that of the justice ministry.

In the meantime, Kamyshin has led Ukraine’s efforts to increase defense manufacturing of everything from long-range missiles to attack drones in order to confront Russia, a more powerful and well-armed adversary.

Kamyshin, 40, a rising star in government, posted on the messaging app Telegram, saying, “I will continue working in the defense sector but in a different role.”

After establishing a reputation as a capable administrator of the national railroads—a crucial supply line for the armed forces and civilians alike—during the first year of the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, he was named in March 2023.

Thousands of long-range drones to attack Russia have been produced by Ukraine since he took over defense production. Zelenskiy said last month that Kyiv had tested a new ballistic missile and utilized a new “drone-missile” for the first time.

AN ESSENTIAL POINT IN THE WAR

On the battlefield, as Moscow’s forces advance eastward into Ukraine, Kiev is pushing a perilous cross-border assault into Russia’s Kursk region.

Russia has increased the number of long-range missile attacks. In the worst attack of the year, Russia launched two ballistic missiles against a military institute in the central town of Poltava on Tuesday, resulting in at least 50 fatalities and 271 injuries.

Since the start of the summer, lawmakers and political observers have anticipated significant changes in the administration. Denys Shmyhal, the prime minister, has proposed consolidating multiple ministries into one and simplifying the administration.

Since ministers were dismissed or resigned earlier this year, at least five portfolios—including the crucial ones of infrastructure and agriculture—have remained empty.

“It’s a government without ministers… an intellectual and personnel crisis that the authorities are closing their eyes to,” opposition member Iryna Herashchenko remarked.

She demanded the establishment of a government of national unity to break Zelenskiy’s political team’s tight hold on power.