Zelensky signals changes in the Ukrainian government after the resignation of a minister due to corruption.

247 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday (23) that changes will be announced soon in the government, regions and security forces following allegations of corruption almost a year after the Russian invasion.

Zelensky, elected by a landslide in 2019 on promises to change the way the government operated, did not identify in his daily video address the officials to be replaced.

"Personnel decisions are already underway—some today, others tomorrow—regarding staff at various levels in ministries and other central government structures, as well as in the regions and the law enforcement system," Zelensky said.

The president said that part of the crackdown would involve tightening oversight of overseas travel for official missions.

Ukrainian media reported that several ministers and senior officials may be dismissed as Zelensky attempts to streamline the government.

One of the president's key allies previously said that corrupt officials would be "actively" arrested, establishing a zero-tolerance approach after the allegations came to light.

Ukrainian anti-corruption police said on Sunday they had detained the deputy infrastructure minister on suspicion of accepting a $400.000 bribe to facilitate the import of generators into Ukraine during the war last September.

A parliamentary committee agreed on Monday to tighten regulations on procurement following allegations in news reports that the Ministry of Defence had overbought food from suppliers for soldiers. 

Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, quoted by the media, told the committee that the reports were based on a "technical error."

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau said it is aware of the media reports and is investigating the possible crime of misappropriation of funds or abuse of power in relation to acquisitions worth more than 13 billion hryvnia (US$352 million).

David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People party, the same party as Zelensky, said that it had become clear since the Russian invasion that the authorities should "focus on the war, help the victims, cut red tape, and stop dubious business dealings."

"Many of them understood the message. But many of them, unfortunately, did not. We will definitely be actively arresting them this spring. If the humane approach doesn't work, we will proceed under martial law," he said.

Timofiy Mylovanov, former Minister of Economy, Trade and Agriculture, praised the government's "proactive and very quick" response to the allegations. He said the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure was dismissed immediately and pointed to the "unprecedented" level of public attention to the matter.

Ukraine, whose economy shrank by a third last year, is extremely dependent on Western financial aid. Donors such as the International Monetary Fund and the EU have repeatedly called for more transparency and better governance.

Corruption has been a major phenomenon in Ukraine long before Russia launched its invasion in late February. Last July, the U.S. State Department warned that Ukraine's sovereignty and democracy were threatened by internal factors, drawing attention to corruption. 

The Russian Foreign Ministry accuses the West of turning a blind eye to Ukrainian corruption by supplying weapons to the country, which often resurface elsewhere in Europe and replenish the arsenals of organized crime. 

Analysts point out that there is no audit process in place for the tens of billions of dollars in military aid authorized to Ukraine. (With agencies). 

Subscribe to 247, Support via Pix, Subscribe to TV 247, in the channel Cuts 247 and watch: