UPDATE - Senior resignations, dismissals announced in Ukraine amid graft allegations

UPDATES WITH MORE INFORMATION; CHANGES HEAD, DECK, LEDE; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Multiple Ukrainian officials either stepped down or were relieved of their duties on Tuesday amid steps by Kyiv to combat allegations of corruption in the government.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, announced his resignation a day after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree relieving him of his duties.

"I thank the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the trust and the opportunity to do good deeds every day and every minute," Tymoshenko said in a message on Telegram without further explanation.

Kyiv Governor Oleksiy Kuleba is set to replace Tymoshenko, who was in office since May 2019, according to media reports.

Deputy Defense Minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov also submitted his resignation, supported by the Defense Ministry in a statement.

"Vyacheslav Shapovalov, who was responsible for the rear support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, asked to be fired in order not to create threats to the stable support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a result of the campaign of accusations related to the procurement of food services," said the statement.

It also noted that while Shapovalov said the accusations directed against him were "unfounded and baseless," his resignation was "a worthy act in the traditions of European and democratic politics, a demonstration that the interests of defense are higher than any cabinets or chairs."

Elsewhere, Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko was dismissed from his post, according to a statement from the Prosecutor General's Office.

"Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin signed an order on voluntary dismissal from the administrative position of Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko," read the statement, without providing any further details.

An investigation by online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda last Friday reported that Symonenko traveled to Spain for a 10-day holiday in a luxury car owned by Lviv-based businessman Grigory Kozlovsky.

President Zelenskyy said on Monday in a late video address that the National Defense and Security Council decided to ban government officials from traveling abroad for purposes outside their duties.

Zelenskyy also said he decided to reshuffle officials of various levels in the country's ministries, central and local administrative bodies, and law enforcement.