Zelenskyy replaces defence minister, Russian drones hit Ukraine port

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday announced the departure of defence minister Oleksiy Reznikov, calling for “new approaches” a year and a half into Russia’s invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday announced the departure of defence minister Oleksiy Reznikov, calling for "new approaches" a year and a half into Russia's invasion.

The announcement came hours after Ukraine fought off an attack by Russian drones in the southern Odesa region early Sunday that hit a Danube port on the border with NATO member Romania.

"Oleksiy Reznikov has been through more than 550 days of full-scale war," Mr. Zelenskyy said in his daily evening address.

"I believe that the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society at large."

He nominated Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar who has been head of the State Property Fund since last year, to replace Mr. Reznikov - subject to approval by Ukraine's parliament.

News of Mr. Reznikov's removal comes with Kyiv's counteroffensive underway and amid Ukraine's general push against corruption in response to EU requests.

Russia meanwhile, continued its military campaign against Ukraine's infrastructure. For weeks now, since pulling out of a key deal that allowed the safe passage of ships carrying grain, it has launched attacks on targets in the Black Sea and the Danube river.