Umerov appoints ex-Infrastructure Minister Kubrakov as his advisor to tackle logistics

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has appointed former Vice Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov as his advisor "on a voluntary basis," Umerov announced on Jan. 7.

Kubrakov had headed the Infrastructure Ministry since May 2021 before being dismissed in May 2024 for unclear reasons.

While his dismissal was formally justified by the restructuring of Kubrakov's ministry, Ukrainska Pravda reported that the former minister fell out of favor with the Presidential Office.

The ex-minister's "experience as the deputy prime minister, the infrastructure minister, and head of Ukravtodor (the State Agency of Automobile Roads) is important and will help improve the supply and logistics in the Armed Forces," Umerov said on the Defense Ministry's Telegram channel.

The appointment comes amid wide-ranging calls for military reforms as Ukraine's army is increasingly on the back foot in its war against Russia.

Last week, Umerov announced a comprehensive review of the Ground Forces Command to evaluate management structures, processes, and compliance with legislation to support reforms and enhance battlefield effectiveness.

‘Negative lesson’ — Ground Forces chief acknowledges desertions, mismanagement in French-trained brigade

Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, acknowledged significant challenges within the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade, including high desertion rates and poor organization, during a Jan. 6 press conference.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy