Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced he was replacing Kyiv’s defence minister Oleksiy Reznikov, calling for new approaches in the ministry, a year and a half into Russia’s invasion.

Reznikov, appointed three months before Moscow’s invasion, has led Kyiv’s negotiations to equip its forces with modern weaponry from allies.

His removal comes in the midst of Kyiv’s counteroffensive and during Ukraine’s general push against corruption in response to European Union’s requests.

He nominated Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar who has been head of the State Property Fund since last year, to replace Reznikov.