Political and personal reasons behind DM Umerov's rumored resignation - Defense Committee MP

“There are a lot of reasonable claims against the Defense Ministry and the Minister in particular," Serhiy Rakhmanin, a member of the Verkhovna Rada's Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, said in an interview with Radio NV on May 4.

Rakhmanin acknowledged widespread dissatisfaction within the Defense Ministry and noted that any potential resignation would stem from political and personal reasons rather than Umerov's job performance.

"There are valid criticisms of the Defense Ministry and the Minister himself. Is there dissatisfaction? Certainly," Rakhmanin said, pointing out the complexity of comparing the ministry's performance before and after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

He particularly highlighted ongoing issues with military supply chains, including the quality and pricing of food—problems that had notably increased in scrutiny over the past few months. "These are the same complaints that were frequently directed at [former Minister Oleksiy] Reznikov since the invasion," Rakhmanin noted.

The Defense Committee plans to review a detailed report on these supply and pricing issues next week.

Rakhmanin also criticized the hiring practices within the ministry, questioning the qualifications of some recent appointees. "We have people who were previously selling rye, milk, and gas now in charge of purchasing ammunition. Their competence is concerning," he remarked.

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Amid these internal controversies, Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov reported on May 1 about a potential reshuffling within the Ukrainian government. According to Butusov, the Presidential Office, led by Andriy Yermak, is considering replacing Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov with Umerov. This move is part of a broader strategy by Yermak to consolidate control over direct access to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Butusov also mentioned that Yermak's push to control key ministerial positions began intensifying after disputes over the dismissal of former Defense Minister Reznikov, with Kubrakov being a previous candidate for the defense portfolio.

Read also: Umerov skipped the Brussels Ramstein meeting, Defense Ministry commented

On the same day, ZN.UA reported from a source that Umerov had drafted a resignation letter on April 26. However, the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council has since labeled the reports of Umerov's resignation and the alleged government changes as misinformation.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine