NEW DELHI: In what reeks of a major government reshuffle in Ukraine, at least six top officials, cabinet ministers and a presidential aide tendered their resignation on Tuesday (Sep 3). The reset comes amidst the ongoing Kursk offensive against Russia as President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes to boost confidence in the government.

He is also expected to travel to the US next month where he would present Washington DC with a victory plan.

"As promised, a major government reset can be expected this week. More than 50 percent of the Cabinet of Ministers' staff will be changed," David Arakhamia, the head of the ruling Servant of the People party's parliamentary faction wrote on Telegram.

Among those who submitted their resignations are strategic industries minister Alexander Kamyshin, justice minister Denys Maliuska, environmental protection minister Ruslan Strilets, deputy prime ministers Olha Stefanishyna and Iryna Vereshchuk, and the head of Ukraine's State Property Fund Vitaliy Koval. Rostyslav Shurma, a top presidential aide, was also dismissed.

"Tomorrow we will have a day of dismissals, and the day after that a day of appointments," Arakhamia added.

Zelensky in a late nightly video address said state institutions needed to be “configured so that Ukraine achieves all the results that we need".

"For this, we must strengthen some areas of the government and changes in its make-up have been prepared. There will also be changes in the (president's) office," he said.

As Kyiv prepared for these resignations on Tuesday, a major Russian strike pounded the city of Poltava, killing 51 people. Zelensky vowed to exact revenge for the attack and urged the Western governments to boost supplies of defence material.
US President Joe Biden also condemned Russia's "deplorable attack".
"I condemn this deplorable attack in the strongest possible terms," Biden said in a statement, adding that Washington will continue military aid to Kyiv, "including providing the air defense systems and capabilities they need to protect their country," he declared Tuesday.