Ukrainian Defence Minister on possible change of military commanders

Rustem Umierov, Ukrainian Defence Minister, said that no decision has been made on the issue of a possible change of Ukrainian military commanders yet, but everything necessary is being done to improve efficiency.

Source: Rustem Umierov at a joint briefing with Boris Pistorius, German Defence Minister in Kyiv; Interfax-Ukraine 

Quote: "The topic that concerns the change of commanders passes through all the parameters that we discuss in our internal military perimeter. In this regard, I must say that the decision has not yet been made. But we are doing everything possible to improve efficiency. And if this happens, we will always communicate it very openly."

Details: The minister noted, "If such things happen, they happen in issues raised earlier or to achieve greater efficiency."

Background:

• On 13 November, Ukrainska Pravda reported that Rustem Umierov, Ukrainian Defence Minister, was preparing a submission for dismissal of Tetiana Ostashchenko, Commander of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Commander of Tavria Operational Strategic Group of Forces; and Serhii Naiev, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
• Paramedics and volunteers who provide medical support to the Defenсe Forces insisted on Ostashchenko's dismissal. Sources did not disclose the grounds for the likely dismissal of Tarnavskyi and Naiev. At the same time, according to our data, Naiev may become one of the main defendants in the case concerning the defence of Kherson Oblast in 2022.
• A source of Ukrainska Pravda noted that these people's resignations had been considered for several months.
• On 19 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired Tetiana Ostashchenko from the post of Commander of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he appointed Anatolii Kazmirchuk, head of the military hospital in Kyiv, to this position.

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