Oleksii reznikov has been through more than 550 days of full scale war. I believe the Ministry Needs New approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole. Asa as a nation, we are driven by one single as a nation, we are driven by one single objective and goal, which is to defeat single objective and goal, which is to defeat the enemy on the battlefield and win this war, and Restore Battlefield and win this war, and restore stability and security in europe restore stability and security in europe and the world. The captain of our team europe and the world. The captain of our team is europe and the world. The captain of ourteam is our europe and the world. The captain of our team is our commander in chief, president our team is our commander in chief, president zelensky. So he makes decisions president zelensky. So he makes decisions about how, in his view, is best to decisions about how, in his view, is best to achieve the goals that we have best to achieve the goals that we have ahead of us at this specific stage have ahead of us at this specific stage 50. Have ahead of us at this specific stage. So, the move that is announced now reflects the president s vision. You mentioned that the president s vision. You mentioned that the ministry of defence was therefore over 550 days. Somebody who works therefore over 550 days. Somebody who works with him closely, i can tell you who works with him closely, i can tell you that every single one of these tell you that every single one of these 550 days, he woke up and went to bed these 550 days, he woke up and went to bed with these 550 days, he woke up and went to bed with one single thought on his mind, to bed with one single thought on his mind, how to get the Ukrainian Army his mind, how to get the Ukrainian Army more his mind, how to get the Ukrainian Army more weapons, how to make sure the Ukrainian Army more weapons, how to make sure the ukrainian defenders have the toots the ukrainian defenders have the tools that the ukrainian defenders have the tools that they need to protect our shared tools that they need to protect our shared values, protect our cities, protect shared values, protect our cities, protect our shared values, protect our cities, protect our sky, protect our people. And, protect our sky, protect our people. And. You protect our sky, protect our people. And, you know, we welcome that the decision and, you know, we welcome that the decision wiii and, you know, we welcome that the decision will be approved by parliament. I am sure the new defence parliament. I am sure the new Defence Minister will continue on the path Defence Minister will continue on the path of the transformation of the path of the transformation of the Ukrainian Ministry of defence, the Ukrainian Ministry of defence, the Ukrainian Ministry of defence, the Ukrainian Armed forces. Oleksii reznikov is convinced ministers of defence around the world ministers of defence around the world that the impossible is possible. It only takes a little bit longer possible. It only takes a little bit longer it possible. It only takes a little bit longer. It all began with the United States longer. It all began with the United States telling Oleksii Reznikov in autumn states telling Oleksii Reznikov in autumn 2021 that it is impossible for ukraine to even get stingers and javeiins for ukraine to even get stingers and javelins. And now we are getting fios javelins. And now we are getting fios this javelins. And now we are getting f 16s. This is something that was not possible without his personal sacrifice not possible without his personal sacrifice. , not possible without his personal sacrifice. ,. ,. , not possible without his personal sacrifice. ,. ,. ,. , sacrifice. That was an adviser to the ukrainian sacrifice. That was an adviser to the Ukrainian Defence sacrifice. That was an adviser to the Ukrainian Defence ministry. | the Ukrainian Defence ministry. While the change at the top is happening, ukraines generals are reporting significant progress in the counteroffensive against the russian invasion. They say their troops have breached the first line of russian defences in the south, near zaporizhzhia. The generals said extensive minefields had blocked troops for several weeks leaving them vulnerable to russian shelling. But they say that painstaking Mine Clearance has now allowed the forces to advance. Kyiv says its forces are making gains in the south of the country and has in recent weeks expanded its units towards the strategic town of tokmak a Logistical Centre for russian forces. Lets go live to Peter Dickinson from the Eurasia Centre at the atlantic council. Thanks forjoining us. A significant change at the top, at a time of scandal and corruption accusations. Just talk us through what has happened. Accusations. Just talk us through what has happened. Good morning. Yes, it is probably what has happened. Good morning. Yes, it is probably the what has happened. Good morning. Yes, it is probably the largest yes, it is probably the largest change in government since the full scale invasion began just change in government since the full scale invasion beganjust over 18 months ago. The charges, or rather the allegations against the outgoing ministry of defence, Oleksii Reznikov, are, in fairness, not major in scale, if we take into consideration the volumes of military aid that ukraine is receiving. They generally relate to Domestic Procurement issues, they revolve around winter coats, eggs, food, things like this. It ukraine is really trying to demonstrate that it has a zero tolerance attitude to any form of corruption. And, of course, any suggestions of corruption within the security sector, within the military and Defence Sector of the country. It is particularly toxic at a time when it ukraine is trying to convince the world and International Partners that they can trust ukraine, ukraine is a reliable partner in the aid they provide will go to the places it needs to get to. They provide will go to the places it needs to get to. And, of course, we have a it needs to get to. And, of course, we have a new it needs to get to. And, of course, we have a new defence it needs to get to. And, of course, we have a new Defence Minister i we have a new Defence Minister coming in, Rustem Umerov, as mr zelensky as saying he wants a fresh start at the top of the mod. What do we know about him . His history, and what he sees for the future of ukraine . ~ ,. ,. ,. , ukraine . Well, Rustem Umerov has a back round ukraine . Well, Rustem Umerov has a background not ukraine . Well, Rustem Umerov has a background not at ukraine . Well, Rustem Umerov has a background not at ministerial ukraine . Well, Rustem Umerov has a background not at ministerial level, i background not at ministerial level, but in government. He currently leads the state Property Fund and is overseeing the privatisation programmes. There is a strong Anti Corruption aspect in that role. He has previously been involved in negotiations for Prisoner Exchanges and also on the grain deal that was brokered last summer with russia, the United Nations in turkey. He has been involved at high levels of government for some time. His brief will very much believe to continue cooperation with ukraines International Partners, while being seen to actively combat any form of corruption, orany seen to actively combat any form of corruption, or any grey areas within the ministry of defence, within the procurement systems, to make sure that they have the transparency they need. Its also worth noting that the candidate, mr umerov, is a member of ukraines muslim minority. His appointment undermines the diversity of the ukrainian government. We now have a jewish president and a Muslim Ministry of defence in waiting. This underlines the absurdity of russias attempts to try to portray ukraine as some kind of an ethnic fascist nazi state. �. , kind of an ethnic fascist nazi state. ,. ,. , state. And we have been hearing from ukrainian generals, state. And we have been hearing from ukrainian generals, saying state. And we have been hearing from ukrainian generals, saying they state. And we have been hearing from ukrainian generals, saying they have i ukrainian generals, saying they have broken through russian defences. Do you think the new head of the mod is going to have an impact on the front line . H going to have an impact on the front line . , � ~ , line . I dont think there will be any immediate line . I dont think there will be any immediate impact. Line . I dont think there will be any immediate impact. I line . I dont think there will be any immediate impact. I thinkl line . I dont think there will be i any immediate impact. I think the troops at the moment have what they need, the generals have their plans in place, they will proceed. It may actually provide a morale boost for soldiers on the front lines, that are suffering significant losses and of course are making enormous sacrifices. Reports of corruption within the ministry, within the Defence Sector, behind the front back home, as it were, back home in kyiv and elsewhere, it is very damaging and sapping for morale. I would imagine that news of this change would be welcomed by the troops, who will see it as a step in the right direction. But i dont anticipate any major changes immediately. Anticipate any maor changes immediately. Anticipate any maor changes immediatel. , ,. , immediately. Really interesting to net our immediately. Really interesting to get your thoughts. Immediately. Really interesting to get your thoughts. Eat immediately. Really interesting to get your thoughts. Eat dickinson l immediately. Really interesting to | get your thoughts. Eat dickinson on bbc news. Lets get some of the days other news now. Taiwans South Western Coastline has been hit by heavy rain and powerful winds as Typhoon Haikui made landfall for a second time. Roads were flooded and others were blocked by fallen trees. Haikui initially made landfall on sunday. It was the first typhoon to hit the island in four years. Many schools and businesses have remained closed. The spanish authorities have issued Weather Warnings the french government has reiterated its commitment to maintaining troops in niger and keeping its ambassador in place. The Military Leadership in niamey demanded the envoy� s expulsion more than a week ago. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the capital for a third consecutive day near a French Military base. France has about 1500 soldiers stationed in niger. The spanish authorities have issued Weather Warnings in the regions around madrid, because of flooding caused by exceptionally heavy rain. A number of Train Services across the country have been cancelled. The floods brought by Storm Dana Have caused mudslides and swept debris into the roads, making many impassable. More rain is expected on monday. Over 100 schools in england and scotland will be closed or partially shut today over Safety Concerns about a concrete known to be at risk of crumbling. Investigations are also under way in schools in wales and Northern Ireland. Ministers have said the government will spend what it takes to make classrooms safe. Louisa pilbeam reports. From the midlands to suffolk. And london. More than 100 schools in england look like this today, with buildings roped off and closed on what for many should be the first day of the new term. The problem crumbling concrete called raac, meaning many schools are unsafe. Sarah, a mum of two who didnt want to be on camera, told us. The main issue for me is we dont have any certainty about when the children are going back to school. The lack of certainty right now is worrying for everyone. The school havent been that specific about the actual scale of how many of the buildings are affected. Possibly they dont know, but i think this is odd. Meanwhile, on social media sites, including mumsnet, one parent said. I dont know if our school is affected yet, but i do know that we couldnt cope with a return to covid style learning. My children were utterly failed during that period. The government has been criticised for not acting faster despite concerns being raised. But some parents believe ministers are doing their best. Safety is paramount at the end of the day. Theres a reason why the schools are doing this. You know, theyre being told by the government to close and to get it sorted and thats what theyre doing. Labour say if the government doesnt publish a full list of affected schools, theyll force a vote in the House Of Commons this week to make them. Its a scandal that parents are being left in the darkjust at the point of The New School term starting. Ministers need to be upfront, publish that list and get a grip. Schools in scotland, wales and Northern Ireland are also being assessed. In scotland, raac has been detected in 35 schools, but first minister humza yousaf said he had no plans to close any schools in the short term. Some Court Buildings and hospitals are also impacted, with the scale of the problem yet to be fully realised. Good morning, sir. Chancellorjeremy hunt has said he will spend what it takes to make the schools affected safe. As some parents try to juggle their children being kept away from school today after a turbulent time in their education, the government is under pressure to reveal precisely which schools are at risk and what they are going to do about it. Louisa pilbeam, bbc news. Speaking to the bbc, the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan said the government was still waiting to hear back from some schools. I want to make sure every school had the capability to speak to parents. Its right that parents learn about whats going to happen with their children from their school, not from the bbc Breakfast Show or some other media outlet. But it will be published this week, once weve been reassured by the caseworkers that every school has had a chance and opportunity to speak to parents and put some early mitigations in place, and thats what weve been working with them. Live now to our correspondent ellie price whos outside a school in eltham, South East LondonWhat Hapnning where you are . Your just yourjust outside your just outside the yourjust outside the gates, have they opened, are they meant to open . They havent opened, they are not meant to open today. It is a teacher training day here. But they are one of the 104 schools so far identified as having a problem with this issue of raac. The head teacher he wrote to parents on friday answered that there had been a survey done during there had been a survey done during the term, the last school year, and that there have been this Raac Concrete identified. They were told it wasnt going to be an issue, and it wasnt going to be an issue, and it would simply have to be monitored by engineers. They said the guidance change, that was the big news that we heard at the end of last week, this was four schools affected. The guidance changed, they were told it was completely unsafe and obviously the buildings where they had this concrete would not be allowed to be used. Yeah, it is an issue for the school hall, we are told, for the canteen, for the drama block, and, crucially, for the girls and boys toilets. You can probably see the blue portakabins behind me, we suspect those are the portaloos that have been put in place for when the school comes back, and we are told there might be a Marquee Structure put up so that children can eat their lunch and prepare food in an area. Clearly this is a school that is going to be partially closed. Its due to open tomorrow to yes seven, and then on wednesday to the rest of the school. I think it illustrates exactly the pigments that these schools find themselves in, and exactly what to do, where to put people. If they dont have to close completely, obviously there are areas they cant use. What close completely, obviously there are areas they cant use. Close completely, obviously there are areas they cant use. What do we know about are areas they cant use. What do we know about funding . Are areas they cant use. What do we know about funding . The are areas they cant use. What do we know about funding . The comet are areas they cant use. What do we j know