Miroshnik Claims Ukraine’s New Defence Minister May Be Tasked with Toughening Mobilisation

Dragon Media News Desk

Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s ambassador-at-large, has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will have to appoint an extremely hardline figure as defence minister to further tighten military mobilisation.

Speaking to the Russian news agency TASS, Miroshnik said the new defence minister would be expected to impose tougher mobilisation measures and would ultimately be made responsible for the consequences.

The appointment of Ukraine’s new defence minister remains unresolved amid the formation of a new government. Zelensky has confirmed that Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko is among the candidates being considered for the position. However, Klymenko’s nomination has not yet been formally submitted to parliament, and no final decision has been announced.

According to Zelensky, the new defence minister will be required to improve coordination between the armed forces and the Defence Ministry, oversee the work of military recruitment and mobilisation centres, and strengthen air defence.

Ukraine’s compulsory mobilisation process has long generated controversy, particularly over recruitment methods and the conduct of territorial recruitment centres.

Miroshnik portrayed the possible appointment as an attempt by the Ukrainian leadership to secure additional manpower for the war while shifting political responsibility for public dissatisfaction over mobilisation onto another official. His remarks represent the Russian side’s political assessment.

Miroshnik serves as the Russian Foreign Ministry’s ambassador-at-large responsible for issues related to the activities of the authorities in Kyiv.