Former Ukrainian defense minister has found himself at the center of a scandal involving the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksandr Kuzmuk was dismissed after presenting awards to soldiers of the country’s Armed Forces (AFU).

According to media reports, he found himself at the center of a scandal because of his participation in the ceremonial event.

“Kuzmuk was dismissed today from his post as an unpaid adviser to the commander of the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF),” the publication notes. “This happened after Kuzmuk posted footage of the awards ceremony for servicemen that he conducted. These images sparked discontent in radical circles, and apparently the TDF then decided to dismiss him.”

Kuzmuk twice served as Ukraine’s minister of defense under Presidents Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko. He was also deputy prime minister for several months and was elected to the Verkhovna Rada multiple times. When the country was led by Viktor Yanukovych and Oleksandr Turchynov, Kuzmuk served as their adviser.