Zelensky: All heads of military replenishment commands will be dismissed

"All heads of regional military commands will be dismissed", Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday afternoon. He harshly criticized officials who are suspected of taking bribes. "Everyone will be released and replaced with brave warriors," he added.

Zelensky's order is related to numerous abuses by the heads of military commissariats (military replenishment commands).

"These positions should be filled by people who know very well what war is and why cynicism and bribery during war are treason against the state" - said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

112 criminal proceedings, 33 people with charges

The decision to dismiss the commissioners was made after a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine. Zelensky held talks on the situation in the police stations with representatives of, among others, The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the General Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of the Interior and institutions established to fight corruption.

There are already 112 criminal proceedings against people employed in the supplementary commands, and 33 employees have been charged - noted Zelensky.

The president announced that military men with combat experience, who had previously participated in battles with the Russians, would become the new heads of the regional commands. We need people "deprived of cynicism, who have retained their dignity," stressed the head of state.

Zelensky announced that the heads of the police stations will be appointed by the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, General Valeriy Zaluzhny, but before that, candidates for these positions will have to undergo verification by the SBU.

Irregularities during recuperation

- Dismissed commissioners and other persons relieved of leadership positions who hold military ranks and have not been charged with prohibited acts may retain their ranks and defend their good name. The condition is to go to the front, the president added.

In recent months, there have been many reports in the Ukrainian media about irregularities during recruitment for military service. Among others, it was reported about illegal benefits received in exchange for waiving the draft and about numerous cases of "helping" people flee abroad to avoid service in the army.