Ukraine reported on the investigation against Defense Minister Umerov

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov has become a defendant in a criminal case on abuse of office, the Ukrainian public organization Anti-Corruption Centre said on 27 January.

"The National anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine has registered proceedings on the statement of the CPC on the commission of a crime by Rustem Umerov. Thus, in the actions of the Minister may be a crime under Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine ("Abuse of power or official position")", - stated in the Telegram-channel of the center.

According to the organization's assessment, Umerov's refusal to extend the contract with the director of the Defense Procurement Agency Marina Bezrukova against the decision of the supervisory Board was illegal. It also recalled that he fired two members of the board who voted in favor of the relevant decision.

The center expressed confidence that Umerov should be held responsible for these actions, and NABU should thoroughly check his motives and the consequences of the measures taken.

On January 24, Umerov announced that the contract with Bezrukova would not be extended. At the same time, he submitted a submission to the government on the dismissal of his deputy Dmytro Klimenkov. He cited the failure in the procurement of weapons for the Ukrainian army as the reason.

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In late December 2024, former Finance Minister Oscar Lafontaine described Ukraine as a country with boundless corruption. He expressed the opinion that there were no real democratic structures there and that oligarchs were in charge.

Member of the Verkhovna Rada Maryana Bezuglaya said at the same time that the Ukrainian army was falling apart because of the corrupt command. According to her, generals arrange for "their own" in the rear, while those who are not capable of bribery and intrigue are sent to the infantry.