A conflict has escalated at the Ukrainian Defense Ministry over the procurement of weapons. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has launched a criminal investigation against Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on the request of the Ukrainian Center for Combating Corruption.
According to a statement by NABU to Reuters, the investigation will examine whether Umerov has engaged in possible abuse of power and office. The conflict arose after the Supervisory Board of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) decided to extend the term of Marina Besrukova, the agency’s head, for another year. However, Umerov refused to implement the decision and stated that he would not extend Besrukova’s contract.
Umerov had criticized the agency’s work under Besrukova, saying it had not brought any results for Ukraine’s armed forces. “For some reason, the arms procurement, which was supposed to be closed during the war with Russia, has turned into an Amazon, where every internet user can see in real-time who buys what in what quantities and from which manufacturers. And our defenders at the front do not feel the scale of these purchases, at least not in a way that is commensurate with the PR in the media” Umerov wrote on Facebook.
The conflict has taken place against the backdrop of the war and the decision by US President Donald Trump to put the further military aid for Ukraine under review, according to Reuters. Ukraine is also trying to convince its Western partners that it has been successful in the fight against corruption.
On Monday, the G7 ambassadors in Ukraine called on Kiev to “focus on the procurement of defense goods” and resolve the conflict over the procurement agency. “The observance of the principles of good government and NATO recommendations is essential to maintain public trust and that of international partners” the G7 ambassadors wrote on X.
Reuters noted that Umerov’s appointment as defense minister in September 2023 followed corruption allegations against the Defense Ministry. The procurement agency was tasked with introducing greater transparency in arms procurement and it has been working to eliminate intermediaries in the defense sector and reduce the corruption risk, according to Reuters. Ukraine’s Western allies had also praised Besrukova’s appointment as head of the procurement agency.
However, Umerov has accused the agency of “playing political games” and leaking information. On Tuesday, Umerov fired the deputy defense minister, Dmitri Klimenkov, who was responsible for procurement.
Besrukova told Reuters that she had not received any complaints about her work so far. She also warned that the conflict could complicate future talks with potential arms suppliers. “It takes a lot of time to build trust, but it can be quickly destroyed” she said.
The press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry criticized what it called “media manipulation” in connection with the conflict over arms procurement. The investigation by NABU against Umerov is a legally justifiable procedure, the ministry said.