Zelenskiy Shakes Up Team Amidst War with Russia

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appointed Oleksandr Kamyshin as an external adviser for strategic issues. Kamyshin, who previously served as the minister for strategic industries, resigned last week during a major governmental reshuffle. Zelenskiy aims to inject new energy into the government as the war with Russia continues.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appointed former arms production minister Oleksandr Kamyshin as an external adviser for strategic issues, as per a decree published on the presidential website.

Kamyshin, who previously managed arms production as minister for strategic industries, recently resigned as part of a significant Ukrainian government shake-up. Zelenskiy emphasized the need for "new energy" and initiated the largest government reshuffle since Russia's invasion started in February 2022.

Last week, the Ukrainian parliament endorsed nine new ministerial appointments, including the foreign minister and two deputy prime ministers. On Sunday, Zelenskiy took further steps to reset his team by announcing several new appointments within his office.

"I will continue to work for our defence industry," Kamyshin said on the Telegram messaging app following his new appointment. He added that he would look after other strategically important areas but did not elaborate.

Kamyshin had been instrumental in enhancing Ukraine's domestic arms production during the ongoing conflict and played a crucial role in attracting more Western financing, expertise, and technology into Ukraine's arms industry. Additionally, Zelenskiy appointed Viktor Mykyta, the governor of the western Zakarpattia region, as a new deputy head of his office to oversee regional matters.

Mykyta stated that one of his primary responsibilities would be to ensure the efficiency of military administrations in the regions and to foster communication and trust between authorities, local communities, and businesses.

(With inputs from agencies.)