Ukraine arms chief, four ministers resign in government shake-up

On the battlefield, Ukraine is pressing a risky cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk region as Moscow’s troops inch forward with increasing speed in the east of Ukraine.
Russia has stepped up its long-range missile strikes. At least 50 people were killed and 271 wounded on Tuesday in the deadliest attack of the year when Russia hit a military institute in the central town of Poltava with two ballistic missiles.
Lawmakers and political analysts have expected major changes in the government since the summer began. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has suggested the possibility of streamlining the government and folding several portfolios into one ministry.
At least five portfolios have been vacant since ministers were fired or resigned earlier this year, including the important agriculture and infrastructure portfolios.
Opposition lawmaker Iryna Herashchenko said: “It’s a government without ministers … an intellectual and personnel crisis that the authorities are closing their eyes to”.
She called for a government of national unity that would end the tight grip on the reins of power held by Zelenskyy’s political team.