A PERSONNEL SCANDAL ROILS MILITARY PROCUREMENT...
Ukraine's Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, has touched off a massive controversy within the country's military by taking aim at the head of its Defense Procurement Agency, Maryna Bezrukova. Bezrukova is responsible for leading the effort to procure weapons efficiently and effectively for the armed forces at reasonable prices. Bezrukova, who assumed the post last January, was approved by the agency's supervisory board to keep her position for another year. Umerov, however, has stated his intention not to renew her contract – a move that has stoked the ire of anti-corruption activists and lawmakers. In her place, Umerov has selected Arsen Zhumadilov, head of the country's food and clothes procurement agency, DOT, and a close personal friend.
Bezrukova, however, isn't giving up without a fight. Citing the board's decision, she has made clear that she has no intention of leaving her post. The fight is casting critical light on recent amendments carried out by the Defense Ministry to the Agency's charter – changes which critics say open the door for Umerov (and others) to essentially bypass the board's recommendations and implement his vision unilaterally. (Kyiv Independent, January 24, 2025)
...AND GETS OTHERS INVOLVED
The fight over the leadership of the Defense Procurement Agency has become so pitched that other government offices have gotten involved. The country's anti-corruption bureau, NABU, has reportedly launched an investigation into Umerov following complaints that he might have abused his position in trying to remove Bezrukova from her post. The defense minister could face up to six years behind bars if found guilty of overstepping his authority. (Meduza, January, 29, 2025)
[EDITORS' NOTE: The scandal comes at an inconvenient time for Kyiv, as the new Trump administration in Washington explores a softer tack toward Russia – and new pressure on Ukraine – in order to bring about a swift end to the current conflict. More broadly, observers have expressed fear that the internal disorder could have the effect of endangering support for Ukraine from the West.]
COURT REFORMS KICK INTO HIGH GEAR
Ukraine's parliament, or Rada, has just approved a new measure expanding the power of the country's court system. The measure authorizes the establishment new courts "to settle high-level political disputes," Reuters reports. The new tribunals, headquartered in Kyiv, "would hear cases involving state institutions, such as ministries and other central agencies." It is intended as a replacement for a now-defunct body with the same functions, which was shuttered in 2022 as a result of corruption allegations. The step is one that is being required by the International Monetary Fund as a condition of its ongoing financing for the country. (Reuters, February 26, 2025)
UKRAINIANS FEAR GRAFT MORE THAN WAR
With the Ukraine conflict now entering its fourth year, Ukrainians can be forgiven for seeing Russian aggression as an existential danger to their way of life. But the threat posed by Russia is overshadowed by worries about another, more pervasive problem: corruption. A recent survey by Socis, a social polling firm, found that "a majority of Ukrainians surveyed (58.8%) believe that widespread corruption at the state level has the most negative impact on the country's situation," beating out the destabilizing effects of the current war. The poll, which was conducted from February 3-9, 2025, and included 2,000 respondents from all over the country, also documented concerns over local and household corruption, as well as Ukraine's reduced economic potential. (New Voice of Ukraine, February 26, 2025)
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