The Chief of Acquisition of Weapons of Ukraine asks Zelensky to stop the destruction ‘of the agency

Maryna Bezrukova, director of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), asked President Volodymyr Zelensky to avoid the “destruction” of the agency, in a Facebook publication on January 31.

Bezrukova and him Ministry of Defense I have been in Loggerheads during the last week after the Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov suspended Bezrukova and appointed Arsen Zhumadilov as temporary director of the DPA January 24. His decision was against the agency’s supervision board that voted extend Bezrukova’s contract days before.

Umerov caused reaction With accusations that he was violating the law when annulled the Supervision Board. According to the Ukrainian law, the supervision boards have the authority to contract and unilaterally fire the heads of state companies.

“The essence of the problem is not only an attempt to say goodbye, but the real destruction of the institution in violation of all possible laws and international obligations of Ukraine,” Bezrukova wrote On Facebook.

“The most threatens important delays of critical importance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and destroy the confidence of donors and partners,” he added.

Addressing ZelenskyBezrukova said the agency had stopped working due to the dispute. She requested that he intervene to resolve the conflict legally, avoid the destruction of the agency and guarantee the stable operations of the DPA without “pressure, blocks and attacks.”

On January 25, the name of Bezrukova missing From the State Enterprise registration as director of the agency. Instead, Zhumadilov, who directs the state rear operator (DOT), appeared as a director despite the fact that his appointment was only temporary, while Bezrukova undergoes an audit.

Now, the name of Bezrukova has returned to the registration, but she appears as the restricted director “suspended from carrying out official tasks during the duration of internal research,” the Ministry of Justice Said on January 31. Zhumadilov appears in the registry together with Bezrukova as the “temporary director” while the audit is ongoing.

The elimination of Bezrukova of the registration called the attention of the Center for Anti -Corruption Action (ANTAC), a guard dog. He believes that the Ministry of Defense was behind the amendment to “legitimize” Zhumadilov as the new director and subsequently consolidate the control of the agency’s ministry.

“It’s like a classic hostile acquisition,” said Tetiana Shevchuk, a lawyer from Antac, to The Kyiv Independent.

“They just want to take charge, take governance and management (of the agency) in their hands, and quickly do something.”

After Antac published the initial amendment on January 27, Zhumadilov’s position in the state registry was changed to “temporary director.” It was changed for the third time on January 29 to list Bezrukova again as director after she presented the necessary documents to the notary.

The DPA and Bezrukova emphasize that she is the agency’s legal director and previously told kyiv Independent that she would not stop her position.

On Facebook, he said that the dispute does not benefit Ukraine. “We should not have enemies except Russia,” he added.

On January 27, the ambassadors of the group of seven (G7) countries asked for a Quick resolution and urged continuously from the acquisition of weapons. They also emphasized the importance of adhering to governance standards.

On January 28, the National Anti -Corruption Office (NABU) launched a Criminal investigation in the possible abuse of power and office for Uumerov.