Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksiy Rezhnikov has been sacked in the first major personnel shake-up amid a corruption scandal at the front line of the military ministry, President Volodymyr Zelensky's key ally has said.
The 56-year-old will replace Ukraine's military intelligence chief, 37-year-old Major General Kirill Budanov, who, according to deputy leader of the Servant of the People Zelensky party David Arakhamia, "was absolutely logical at one time." War."
Mr Arakhamia said Mr Reznikov, who actively led Russia's war against Ukraine, was preparing to launch a major attack against Vladimir Putin on the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine as part of "reinforcement and restructuring".
In Kiev, Zelensky warned that Russia "want to do something symbolic in February" and "will launch a major offensive to avenge last year's defeat".
He added that the situation "in the Donetsk region is very difficult. There is heavy fighting".
Ukraine replaces Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov
03:56 , Arpan Rai
Ukraine replaced its defense minister Oleksiy Reznikov under pressure from a corruption scandal in the ministry, according to one of President Volodymyr Zelensky's top allies.
David Arakhamia, leader of parliament from Zelensky's Servant of the People party, said his resignation was part of a "strengthening and restructuring" as Ukraine prepares to launch a major offensive against Vladimir Putin on the anniversary of Russia's invasion.
It has come under intense pressure since allegations first appeared in Ukrainian media on January 23 that the ministry bought military rations at inflated prices during the war, which is currently being investigated by the government.
Read details here.
Ukraine has replaced the defense minister
Putin vowed not to kill Zelensky, says Israel's former prime minister
05:17 , Arpan Rai
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Russian President Vladimir Putin had promised not to kill his Ukrainian counterpart, Vladimir Zelensky.
In an interview with journalist Hanoch Daum posted on Bennett's YouTube channel, Mr Bennett said: "I knew Zelensky was being threatened, in the bunker… I told him [Putin], 'Do you want to kill Zelensky?' "I told Zelensky. I won't kill."
“Then I told him. "I must understand that you promised me that you would not kill Zelensky." He said that "I will not kill Zelensky."
Read details here.
Putin vowed not to kill Zelensky, says Israel's former prime minister
Ukraine is preparing for a new offensive by Russia ahead of the war anniversary
04:56 , Arpan Rai
Ukraine is "ready" if Vladimir Putin decides to launch a major offensive on the anniversary of Russia's invasion, Kyiv Defense Minister Alexei Reznikov said.
Kiev has stockpiled reserves to hold off Moscow's troops, even if the last military supplies from the West don't arrive on February 24, Reznikov told reporters.
But in a bitter personal dispute, President Volodymyr Zelensky's main ally signaled hours later that efforts to strengthen Ukraine's defenses would include Reznikov's resignation as he announced plans to make him intelligence chief.
Read details here.
Ukraine is preparing for a new offensive by Russia ahead of the war anniversary
The situation in Donetsk was "extremely difficult" with "intense fighting".
04:36 , Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky spoke from the front of the war and said that Donetsk was going through a difficult situation.
“It is very difficult in the Donetsk region. There is a big fight. But no matter how difficult and no matter how much pressure, it must be endured. We need every day and every week to strengthen our advanced defense, international position, increase the pressure on Russia, and our people need to use this difficult time to provide new opportunities to overcome it," Zelensky said in his evening address.
He added: “There have been many reports that the occupiers want to do something symbolic in February. To try to avenge last year's defeat. We are seeing increasing pressure on different parts of the frontline, as well as pressure on the information front."
Russian troops have recovered the bodies of British volunteers who died in Ukraine.
04:15 , Arpan Rai
The bodies of two British volunteers brought to eastern Ukraine after the Russian invasion last year have been found in a prisoner exchange with Russia.
The head of government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the bodies of 28-year-old Chris Parry and 47-year-old Andrew Bagshaw had been returned to Ukraine.
It is not yet known when they will be handed over to the British Embassy for repatriation.
Read details here.
Russian troops have recovered the bodies of British volunteers who died in Ukraine.
03:24 , Arpan Rai
Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the war in Ukraine on Monday 6th February.
