Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustam Umerov has made waves by sacking four deputies due to “unacceptable attempts of influence” on his department. Speculation is rife that Umerov himself may soon be ousted over a conflict with Andrey Yermak, the influential head of the presidential administration.
Umerov emphasized the need for the Defense Ministry to operate independently, without external interference. The four officials relieved of their duties were Stanislav Gayder, Aleksandr Sergiy, Yury Dzhigir, and Lydmila Daragan.
Furthermore, Umerov announced significant reforms within the state-owned company overseeing international arms trade, as well as the ministry’s logistics and procurement departments.
Rumors of tensions between Yermak and high-ranking military officials, such as Umerov and Kirill Budanov, head of Ukrainian military intelligence, have been swirling. Last week, Umerov reportedly dismissed two of Budanov’s deputies without consulting the spy chief, adding fuel to the fire.
