The Ukrainian Defense Ministry is entering a notable phase of leadership reshuffle as Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has nominated three candidates for deputy positions. The selections were reported by RBC-Ukraine and quickly escalated to a formal submission, with the minister presenting the names to President Volodymyr Zelensky for the necessary approval. This sequence underscores a continuing effort to strengthen the ministry’s administrative framework while signaling an uncompromising stance on governance and accountability at the highest levels.
In this round of appointments, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavlyuk has been put forward for the role of Deputy First, a position that combines strategic oversight with operational readiness across the Defense Ministry’s broad portfolio. Vitaly Deynega is proposed as Assistant for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitization, reflecting a keen emphasis on modernizing government functions through technology, data integrity, and streamlined processes. Andriy Shevchenko is nominated as Assistant for European Integration, aligning Ukraine’s defense strategy with its broader European security architecture and interoperability goals that have gained momentum in recent years.
Meanwhile, the ministry is navigating the delicate balance between renewal and continuity. Two former deputies, Ivan Rusnak and Oleg Gaiduk, who were dismissed amid a corruption scandal within the department, are slated to continue contributing as consultants. Their ongoing involvement is framed as leveraging their experience to guide reform efforts, while the ministry remains vigilant about ethics and compliance as a core operating principle moving forward.
Earlier communications highlighted a significant enforcement wave within the Defense Ministry, as Reznikov reported that more than 600 officials faced investigations. Of those, 497 individuals were subjected to financial accountability measures, and 124 were held liable through disciplinary actions. This level of scrutiny demonstrates a persistent commitment to rooting out malfeasance and reinforcing a culture of responsibility in a sector critical to national security and public trust.
Reznikov has repeatedly signaled that anti-corruption work would not slow down. In his February declaration, he outlined a dual-track approach: to continue robust oversight while prioritizing structural reforms that strengthen transparency. A central element of this strategy involves restoring and empowering the ministry’s anti-corruption office, a move designed to provide independent checks and a clearer channel for addressing any potential misconduct. The broader implication is clear—Ukraine seeks to align its defense governance with international best practices, enhancing accountability, efficiency, and the overall resilience of its security apparatus in the face of ongoing regional challenges.