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Reuters
Reuters
Politics

Ukraine appoints new defence minister amid scrutiny on Russian troop movements

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Reznikov adjusts glasses during a session of parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine November 4, 2021. The Ukrainian parliament later voted to appoint Reznikov as the new defence minister. REUTERS/Oleksandr Klymenko

The Ukrainian parliament on Thursday voted to appoint President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's nominee Oleksii Reznikov as the new defence minister.

A 55-year-old former lawyer and deputy prime minister, Reznikov will replace Andrii Taran who resigned this week after his track record on reforms was criticised by lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties.

The appointment comes as Ukraine said Russia had left military units near Ukraine's border after exercises, with the number of Russian troops in the area now totalling 90,000. The United States said the Russian troop movements were significant but not "overtly aggressive".

Newly appointed Defence Minister of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov attends a session of parliament in Kyiv, Ukraine November 4, 2021. REUTERS/Oleksandr Klymenko

(Reporting by Natalia Zinets; Editing by Matthias Williams)

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