Ukraine’s Government Undergoes Major Reshuffle

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Integration, Olga Stefanishyna, and three ministers have submitted their resignations, marking a significant change in the country’s government.

According to Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, the ministers who resigned include Aleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries; Denis Maliuski, Minister of Justice; and Ruslan Strilets, Minister of Environmental Protection.

Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna played a crucial role in Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union and the NATO military alliance. She may be appointed to head a larger ministry, combining her old role with the Justice Ministry.

Aleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries, has been leading Ukraine’s efforts to increase production of defense weapons, including attack drones and long-range missiles, to counter Russia’s superior military capabilities.

“I will continue to work in the defense sector but in a different role,” Kamyshin, 40, confirmed on Telegram. He was appointed in March 2023 after building a reputation as an efficient manager of the national railway, a vital logistics route for both civilian and military purposes.

Under Kamyshin’s leadership, Ukraine has produced thousands of long-range UAVs to attack Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accepted the resignations of the three ministers and the country’s deputy prime minister on September 3. Earlier in the day, Zelensky fired his deputy chief of staff, Rostislav Shurma, without giving a reason.

Lawmakers and observers have been predicting major changes in Ukraine’s government since early summer. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has proposed streamlining the government and combining several portfolios into one ministry.

MP David Arakhamia, a senior lawmaker from the Servant of the People Party in the Ukrainian parliament, said there would be a “major government reshuffle” in which more than half of the ministers would be changed.