World
Was Ukraine’s ex-Defence minister caught partying on a yacht?
Viral social media posts claim Oleksiy Reznikov was seen partying on a yacht in the South of France days after leaving his post as defence minister of Ukraine. But these photos pre-date the war in Ukraine and were taken in Turkey in 2020.
Was the newly dismissed Ukrainian Defence minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, spotted on a luxurious yacht in the South of France as Russia continues its invasion?
The claim has gained traction on multiple social media platforms as users shared a photo of Reznikov next to a woman seemingly partying on a boat.
“This is the former Minister of Defence of Ukraine Reznikov after his resignation. He is already in Europe on a yacht,” said one account.
“Sacked #Ukraine defence minister #Reznikov partying on a yacht moored off the #CoteDAzur, maybe spending some of those millions he’s stolen? Meanwhile, Ukrainians he press-ganged are sent to die every day,” said another X user.
The claim that money sent to Ukraine has been stolen by government officials is a common propaganda narrative spread by pro-Kremlin accounts.
Where and when was the photo taken?
After doing a reverse image search, Euronews found the photo is more than three years old and therefore unquestionably pre-dates Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which started in February 2022.
The original photo was posted on Reznikov’s official Facebook page on Valentine’s Day in 2020.
The former minister shared several photos celebrating his engagement to Yulia Zoriy, a TV presenter.
The photo was taken before Reznikov even became the Ukrainian defence minister, which was in November 2021.
Moreover, this photo wasn’t even taken in the South of France but in Istanbul, Turkey in front of the Rumeli Fortress on the Bosphorus Strait, according to AFP.
Why was Oleksiy Reznikov fired?
On 3 September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the dismissal of his defence minister, Oleksiy Reznikov.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Reznikov confirmed that he had submitted his resignation letter to the country’s parliament.
ADVERTISEMENTReznikov was replaced by former businessman Rustem Umerov.
Six Ukrainian deputy defence ministers were fired on 18 September following the dismissal of Reznikov.
Although Reznikov didn’t face any allegations of corruption himself, his ministry had been dogged by accusations of corruption including that the ministry bought goods and equipment for the army at inflated prices.
Several Ukrainian outlets report the Ministry of Defence in late 2022 signed a contract with a Turkish company to supply winter uniforms, which then tripled in price.
Ukrainian journalists have determined this gear can be purchased in Turkey at prices well below those paid by the ministry.
World
Live Updates: ‘Technical Failure’ Caused Helicopter Crash That Killed Iran’s President, State News Agency Reports
The deaths of Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, and foreign minister left the country without two of its most influential figures at a moment of regional and domestic tumult. Funeral services will be held in three cities from Tuesday through Thursday, the state media said.
Kosovo’s Cabinet renewed efforts with a new draft law on renting a prison in the south of the country to Denmark to help it cope with its overpopulated prison system, an official said Monday.
The first draft of the law failed to pass at the parliament last week. But on Sunday, the Cabinet approved a draft law on 300 cells at the prison in Gjilan, 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the capital Pristina, to be rented to Denmark, based on a a 10-year agreement that the two governments signed in April and May 2022, government spokesman Perparim Kryeziu said.
FORMER KOSOVO INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTER GETS 44 MONTHS FOR OVERSPENDING ON ROAD PROJECT
“The Cabinet approved it (the draft law) again yesterday (Sunday) so that it passes on to the Assembly (the parliament) to be voted on again,” he said.
An official in Kosovo says the Cabinet has renewed efforts with a new draft law on renting a prison in the south of the country to Denmark to help it cope with its overpopulated prison system. (Photo by Ferdi Limani/Getty Images)
Last week, the draft law got 75 votes, not reaching at least 80, or two-thirds of the 120-seat parliament as required to pass.
Kosovo will be paid 200 million euros ($217 million) that will be spent on the country’s correctional institutions and renewable energy projects.
According to the plan, Denmark won’t be able to send inmates convicted of terrorism or war crimes, or mentally ill prisoners. A Danish warden will run the 300-cell facility, accompanied by an Albanian one and other local staff.
Kosovo’s prison system has a capacity of up to 2,800. It wasn’t immediately possible to find out the current number of vacancies.
Neighboring Albania has agreed to hold thousands of asylum-seekers for Italy.
By embracing those who advocate for the erosion of democracy, VDL now aligns with figures who cloak themselves as quintessential Europeanists, ready to steer Europe through its future policy challenges. What could possibly go wrong, Giorgios Samaras writes.
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