More than 140 participants of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) have been assigned to the senior posts in the Defense Ministry and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak said at an expanded board meeting of the ministry in Kyiv on Saturday.

He also said that 145 posts will be cut as the part of rightsizing the staff of the Defense Ministry, according to the official website of the Ukrainian government.

The press service of the Defense Ministry in turn said that Poltorak also noted poor performances of some of the senior officials of the Defense Ministry and the General Staff.

"The issues of forecasting and long-term planning, implementing systemic changes in activities did not become the priorities for some senior officials, this hard work is being replaced by a permanent monitoring of the situation in a particular area of work. The Defense Ministry is aware of the risks associated with such a state of affairs. In every case of improper performance of duties, I will make the corresponding decisions, including those dealing with personnel," Poltorak said.