Ukraine news – live: Zelensky replaces defence minister over scandal in wartime reshuffle

Ukraine is removing defence minister Oleksii Reznikov from top position in a first major wartime reshuffle amid pressure over corruption scandal at the ministry handling the war on the frontlines, said a top ally of president Volodymyr Zelensky.

The 56-year-old will be replaced by the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, Major General Kyrylo Budanov, aged 37 – a move David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of Mr Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, said was “absolutely logical for wartime”.

Removal of Mr Reznikov, who has actively handled the entire course of Russian war on Ukraine, is part of a “strengthening and regrouping” as Ukraine braces for Vladimir Putin to potentially launch a major offensive on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Mr Arakhamia said.

In Kyiv, Mr Zelensky warned that Russia wants to do “something symbolic in February” and will launch a major offensive to “try to avenge their last year’s defeats”.

He added the situation is “very difficult in the Donetsk region – there are fierce battles.”

Ukraine replaces defence minister Oleksii Reznikov

03:56 , Arpan Rai

Ukraine is replacing its defence minister Oleksii Reznikov, according to a top ally of president Volodymyr Zelensky, following pressure over a corruption scandal at the ministry.

His removal is part of a “strengthening and regrouping” as Ukraine braces for Vladimir Putin to potentially launch a major offensive on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion, said David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of Mr Zelensky’s Servant of the People party.

He has faced intense pressure since allegations first broke in Ukrainiain media on 23 January of the ministry making wartime purchases of military rations at inflated prices – claims now subject to an official investigation.

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Ukraine replaces its defence minister

Putin has promised not to kill Zelensky, claims former Israeli PM

05:17 , Arpan Rai

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett has claimed that Russian president Vladimir Putin promised that he would not kill his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

In an interview with journalist Hanoch Daum and self-published on Bennett’s own YouTube channel, Mr Bennett said: “I knew Zelensky was under threat, in a bunker… I said to him [Putin], ‘Do you intend to kill Zelensky?’ He said, ‘I won’t kill Zelensky’.

“I then said to him ‘I have to understand that you’re giving me your word that you won’t kill Zelensky.’ He said ‘I’m not going to kill Zelensky.’”

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Putin has promised not to kill Zelensky, claims former Israeli PM

Ukraine brace for fresh Russian offensive ahead of war anniversary

04:56 , Arpan Rai

Ukraine is “ready” and able to defend itself should Vladimir Putin choose to launch a major offensive on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Kyiv’s outgoing defence minister Oleksii Reznikov has said.

Kyiv has created the reserves to hold back Moscow’s forces, even though the latest Western military supplies will not all arrive in time for 24 February, Mr Reznikov told reporters.

But in a cruel personal twist, a top ally of president Volodymyr Zelensky indicated just hours later that Ukraine’s effort to bolster its defences would involve Mr Reznikov’s own resignation – as he announced plans to replace him with a spy chief.

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Ukraine braced for fresh Russian offensive ahead of war anniversary

Donetsk situation ‘very difficult’ with ‘fierce battles’

04:36 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky shared an update from the war frontlines and said that Donetsk is facing a tough situation.

“It is very difficult in the Donetsk region - there are fierce battles. But no matter how hard it is and no matter how much pressure there is, we have to withstand it. We have to use and we do use every day and every week to reinforce our defence at the front, to strengthen our international position, to increase pressure on Russia and to give our people new opportunities to get through this difficult time,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address.

He added: “There are already many reports that the occupiers want to do something symbolic in February. To try to avenge their last year’s defeats. We see this increased pressure in various areas of the frontline, as well as pressure in the information field.”

Bodies of British volunteers killed in Ukraine recovered from Russian forces

04:15 , Arpan Rai

The bodies of two British volunteers who flew to eastern Ukraine following the Russian invasion last year have been recovered as part of a prisoner swap with Russia.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff confirmed that the bodies of Chris Parry, 28, and Andrew Bagshaw, 47, had been returned to Ukraine.

It is not yet known when they will be handed to British embassy staff to be returned home.

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Bodies of British volunteers killed in Ukraine recovered from Russian forces

03:24 , Arpan Rai

Good morning, welcome to our coverage of the Ukraine war on Monday, 6 February.