Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Agency to get new leader soon
A new leader will be appointed to head the Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) in the future, the organization's acting head, Arsen Zhumadilov, said in an interview with Radio Svoboda on Jan. 29.
He explained that he is working alongside the suspended director, Maryna Bezrukova. However, there has been no official transfer of responsibilities since Bezrukova has not resigned but has only been removed from her position.
He added that he remains on leave from his primary job at the State Logistics Operator (DOT).
Zhumadilov revealed that the offer to lead the DPA came from Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Jan. 24. His main task was to focus on analyzing the agency’s operations to determine what changes are necessary.
"We will present a vision, which I will submit to the minister for review," he said.
"Defense Ministry will then make a decision on the permanent head of the Defense Procurement Agency. That is of the Ministry's competence - how to choose the best candidate."
Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has launched a criminal investigation into Minister Umerov over allegations of abuse of power. The probe concerns his refusal to renew Bezrukova’s contract and the removal of two members from the DPA Supervisory Board.
DPA controversy
On Jan. 24, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov submitted a request to the Cabinet of Ministers for the dismissal of his deputy, Dmytro Klimenkov, and decided not to extend the contract of DPA director Maryna Bezrukova.
Additionally, the Ministry of Defense withdrew two government representatives from the DPA Supervisory Board:
- Taras Chmut, director of the Come Back Alive Foundation
- Yuriy Dzhyhyr, former deputy Defense Minister.
Umerov accused the DPA of engaging in political maneuvering, contract leaks, unauthorized information disclosures, and failure to meet key performance indicators (KPIs) over the past six months instead of focusing on supplying ammunition to the army.
He also announced that Arsen Zhumadilov will be appointed as the new DPA director, stating that the DOT had met its objectives while the DPA had not.
Bezrukova, however, refused to step down, insisting that she remains the agency’s head despite the ministry’s decision not to renew her contract.
On Jan. 25, the DPA issued a statement confirming that it continues to operate under Bezrukova’s leadership. The statement said that the Supervisory Board had unanimously voted on Jan. 23 to extend her contract, and that only the board has the authority to terminate or renew the director’s contract.
Bezrukova was appointed DPA director in January 2024. Before that, she served on the board of Ukrenergo - Ukraine’s national energy company, specializing in supply chain management.
On Jan. 25, the Anti-Corruption Action Center filed a complaint with NABU, alleging that Umerov had abused his office.
On Jan. 28, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers officially dismissed Dmytro Klimenkov from his position as deputy defense minister.
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