Five Resign from Ukraine Cabinet Signaling Cabinet Reshuffle... President of Power Corporation Also Dismissed

"Failure to Stop Russian Drones"... Controversy Over Dismissal of Ukrainian Power Company CEO
Held Responsible for Defense Facility Construction Failure

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The Ukrainian government has dismissed the head of the state-owned power company Ukrenergo, citing failure to prevent damage to the power infrastructure during Russian airstrikes. The dismissed Ukrenergo chief has protested, calling it slander, while five cabinet ministers have also resigned in succession, sparking controversy.

On the 3rd (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that the Ukrainian government had dismissed Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of Ukrenergo. On the 26th of last month, a large-scale blackout occurred in the capital Kyiv and major cities due to a massive Russian military drone and ballistic missile strike. The Ukrainian government held Kudrytskyi responsible for failing to strengthen the power plant's defense facilities.

Kudrytskyi immediately pushed back. On his Facebook, he stated, "I was not fired for failing to protect the power infrastructure," adding, "I was dismissed due to slander by unidentified individuals, and I am the victim." Two members of the Ukrenergo supervisory board within the government resigned in protest, calling the measure a political decision.

Controversy deepened as five cabinet ministers announced their resignations shortly after the dismissal of the head of the Ukrainian state-owned power company. Irina Vereshchuk, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories; Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration; Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries; Denys Maliuska, Minister of Justice; and Ruslan Strilets, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, all submitted their resignations to the Ukrainian parliament.

The Kyiv Independent, a local Ukrainian media outlet, reported, "The reasons for the resignations have not been specifically disclosed," adding, "This news comes after months of reports about possible changes in several Ukrainian ministers." The Kyiv Independent also noted that following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement that a cabinet reshuffle was imminent, rumors about changes in the cabinet and heads of major state enterprises had begun both inside and outside Ukraine.

David Arakhamia, leader of the ruling party Servant of the People, also emphasized during a parliamentary session that day, "There is a possibility that half of the ministers will be replaced," adding, "Tomorrow (the 4th) is the day of dismissals, and the day after (the 5th) is the day of appointments."