Cabinet reshuffle, new aid package from United States: highlights of the day

Cabinet reshuffle

The Verkhovna Rada has dismissed Minister of Education and Science Serhiy Shkarlet, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, and Minister of Strategic Industries Pavlo Ryabikin. According to MPs, Ryabikin is being considered for the post of Ukraine's ambassador to China.

Mykhailo Fedorov is to be appointed to a new position. He will become Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology — Minister of Digital Transformation. Oksen Lisovyi, director of the Minor Academy of Sciences and a military man, is to be appointed to replace Shkarlet.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has already submitted to the Rada the proposals to appoint Lisovyi and Fedorov. At the same time, the Prime Minister proposes to appoint Alexander Kamyshin, the former head of state rail transport company Ukrzaliznytsia, as Minister of Strategic Industries.

New military aid

The United States is providing Ukraine with a new military aid package worth $350 million. The package includes ammunition for HIMARS systems, 155 mm artillery rounds, HARM high-speed anti-radar missiles, river patrol boats, and other assistance.

The American weapons will be taken from the Pentagon's warehouses, so they can be quickly delivered to Ukraine. In total, after Russia's full-scale invasion, Washington has provided more than $32.5 billion in military aid to Kyiv.

One million ammunition rounds for Ukrainian army

The European Union countries have agreed to jointly purchase one million rounds of ammunition for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Norway and 17 EU countries have already joined the initiative.

Other EU states will join after completing the relevant national procedures. However, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that his country had decided not to join the initiative. "We want peace, we will not participate in this action. At the same time, we do not prevent others from doing what they want," the minister said.

Innovations for Armed Forces

The Verkhovna Rada has authorized the granting of officer ranks to military personnel who have combat experience but no higher military education.

These people will be able to take a military training course in a field that corresponds to the profile of their service before or after their appointment, but no later than within six months from the date of termination of martial law.

Zabrodskyi steps down as MP

The Verkhovna Rada has prematurely terminated the powers of Mykhailo Zabrodskyi, a member of the European Solidarity faction. His colleague Oleksiy Honcharenko claims that Zabrodskyi is to be appointed deputy commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

It is known that since the beginning of the full-scale war, the general has joined the country's top leadership in advising on the development of strategies and tactics for the defense of Kyiv and Ukraine.

Death of soldiers at Desna training center

The State Bureau of Investigation has preliminarily established the cause of death of four soldiers at the Desna training center in Chernihiv Oblast. According to the investigation, on March 18, a shell detonated during routine firing training in the military unit. The explosion killed four soldiers.

The bodies of the soldiers were sent to the Chernihiv Oblast Bureau of Forensic Medicine for appropriate examinations. Law enforcement officers inspected the scene and seized material evidence. Criminal proceedings have been registered over violation of the rules for handling weapons.

Situation at frontline

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russian occupiers continue with attempts to capture Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast. There are constant positional battles there. On March 20 alone, Ukrainian troops repelled attacks in the areas of Bohdanivka and Ivanivske.

On the Kupyansk and Lyman axes, Russians unsuccessfully attacked in the direction of Novoselivske in Luhansk Oblast, and on the Avdiyivka, Maryinka and Shakhtarsk axes — in the direction of Berdychi, Avdiyivka, and Severne.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has estimated that since the beginning of the full-scale war, Ukrainian troops have killed over 165,000 occupiers. On March 19 alone, Russia lost 700 of its soldiers, 5 tanks, 16 armored combat vehicles and other equipment.

Changes in Kyiv

Starting March 26, the curfew in Kyiv will be officially reduced — now starting at midnight and lasting until 5 a.m. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klychko has previously stated that if the curfew is shortened, the subway and ground public transport will operate an hour longer. Currently, the Kyiv metro is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

In addition, starting from March 27, alcoholic beverages will be available in stores and retail chains from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Seizure of Ocean Plaza

The High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine has confiscated the assets of Russian oligarch Arkady Rotenberg and three other Russian citizens. The assets include the Ocean Plaza shopping center in Kyiv.

Ocean Plaza stopped working after the start of the full-scale war on February 24, 2022. In the fall of 2022, the mall resumed operations.