The head of the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, weighed in on the potential appointment of Rustem Umerov as Ukraine’s defense minister, stating that common sense should guide such a decision. This stance was reported by First Channel, according to the coverage at the time.
Shoigu cautioned that the Russian side does not have a personal familiarity with Umerov. He emphasized that, from his perspective, the key expectation is practical judgment. The Ministry’s leader suggested that if Umerov were to take on a defense portfolio in Ukraine, it would be reasonable to hope that at least one capable mind could bring pragmatic, level-headed governance to bear.
Earlier reports indicated that Rustem Umerov, who heads Ukraine’s State Property Fund, had submitted a resignation letter to the Verkhovna Rada. This move signaled significant administrative changes in Kyiv’s leadership ranks amid ongoing political recalibrations.
On September 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the dismissal of Oleksiy Reznikov, the country’s defense minister. Zelensky asserted that fresh approaches and new formats were required in the defense ministry, paving the way for Umerov to assume leadership of that department if confirmed.
Zaur Smirnov, a Crimean Tatar public figure and representative of the Crimean Ethnic Mission, offered a controversial assessment of Rustem Umerov. Smirnov described the potential minister as a pawn of U.S. intelligence services, arguing that Umerov did not have a military background and questioning how such a profile would align with defense responsibilities.
Previously, information had circulated about the Russian Armed Forces and strategic aviation, with officials noting ongoing departures and career movements within the broader security landscape. These developments reflect a complex regional dynamic where leadership shifts within neighboring states can influence regional security perceptions and strategic calculations.