Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked several of his advisers and aides, including his right-hand man since 2019, Sergei Shefir, as reported on Saturday.
The presidential website stated that the Ukrainian president dismissed Oleh Ostinko, Sergei Trofimov, Mykhailo Radutsky, Presidential Commissioner for Human Rights Alina Verbetska, Presidential Commissioner for Volunteer Activities Natalia Boushkarieva, and Sergei Shefir.
This move follows Zelensky’s dismissal on Friday of Andrei Semerikov and Oleksiy Dniproff from their positions as deputy heads of the Presidential Office, with Andrei Yermak replacing them.
They were replaced by Deputy Minister of Justice Iryna Modra and Olena Kovalska, who previously worked in the main administration of strategic communications at the Presidential Office in the Information Policy Department, according to The Kyiv Independent.
However, the reasons behind these dismissals have not been disclosed.
Earlier this week, Zelensky dismissed Oleksiy Danilov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. According to the German news agency, Danilov will be succeeded by former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Oleksandr Litvinenko.
The reasons for Danilov’s dismissal have not been revealed.
These developments come after recent changes in military leadership.
In February, Zelensky dismissed Valery Zaluzhny from the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and appointed Alexander Sirsky, who previously led the ground forces, as his replacement.