Latest news with #DefenseProcurementAgency
Russia Today
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukraine hit by another military corruption scandal
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has arrested several military officials for their alleged involvement in a corruption scheme that resulted in tens of thousands of defective mortar shells being sent to the front, thus compromising operations. Ukraine has long been notorious for its rampant corruption, a problem exacerbated when large military procurement orders began being placed. Complaints from frontline soldiers about subpar 120mm mortar shells began to pour in late last year. Service members claimed that only one in ten shells exploded due to a smorgasbord of problems, including wet powder and faulty fuses. Local media later reported that as many as 100,000 shells had been recalled, and that authorities had launched an investigation. In a statement on Tuesday, the SBU said that a defense plant in Dnepropetrovsk Region supplied the military with 120,000 mortar rounds unsuitable for combat use. Without identifying the facility, the agency said that it had detained four suspects, including the plant's director general, his deputy, as well as two military officials who were responsible for receiving the rounds and overseeing production. According to the SBU, the plant signed a contract with Ukraine's Defense Procurement Agency to produce 120,000 mortar shells. However, in some cases, the plant used 'low-quality materials and performed defective work' to produce the shells. This way, the agency continued, 'the organizers of the scheme tried to reduce the cost of production in order to get a greater profit from the state order.' Moreover, the military officials overseeing the process were involved in the scheme and deliberately 'turned a blind eye' to the defective batch of ammunition, the statement read. The defendants are now charged with aggravated obstruction of the military leading to severe consequences, and face 15 years in prison. Last year, several media reports indicated that the mortar shell crisis was only one facet of the difficulties in the Ukrainian defense industry, which was struggling to begin mass domestic production due to logistics and personnel issues. Corruption has also been a long-standing issue in Ukraine's defense sector, especially after the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022. Kiev's Western backers have acknowledged the problem, citing graft as a major obstacle to the country's EU integration. Earlier this week, US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz called for proper oversight of American aid to Kiev, calling Ukraine 'one of the most corrupt countries in the world.'
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukraine appoints deputy defense ministers to boost efficiency, partnerships
The government approved the appointments of three deputy defense ministers to ensure "greater efficiency and agility" in the ministry's work and boost ties with foreign partners, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on April 29. Serhii Boyev, previously a deputy minister for international partnerships, was appointed first deputy defense minister. He is replacing Ivan Havryliuk, who resigned voluntarily on April 11 following a scandal over the transparency of defense procurement. Boyev was tasked with developing a comprehensive strategy to meet the needs of the Ukrainian army and build the "Defense Forces of the future." "Serhii Boyev's priorities will be the development of international partnerships, securing funding and investment for Ukraine's defense-industrial complex, and establishing joint ventures with international partners," Umerov said. Lieutenant General Mykola Shevtsov has taken on the role of deputy defense minister, focusing on logistics and procurement. Umerov described him as the one who helped to "establish effective mechanisms for supplying and supporting troops on the front lines." Pro-reform MPs and anti-corruption activists have lambasted Umerov for what they see as efforts to destroy the independence of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), which was created in 2022 to make defense procurement more transparent and counter corruption. The scandal placed the Defense Ministry in the spotlight, with Umerov facing investigation over alleged abuse of power. Oleksandr Kozenko, a former adviser to Umerov and Presidential Office Head Andrii Yermak, has been appointed deputy defense minister in charge of aviation development. Separately, the defense minister announced the resignation of his deputy, Serhii Melnyk. Melnyk will continue to work "in another area," Umerov added. Read also: Transfer of Abrams tanks from Australia to Ukraine stalled due to US resistance, media reports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Deputy defense minister resigns following procurement scandal
Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk said on April 11 he had decided to resign as first deputy defense minister. Havryliuk told the Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne that he is stepping down voluntarily, without elaborating on the reason for his decision. Tetiana Nikolayenko, a journalist and member of the civic oversight council at the Defense Ministry, claimed earlier on April 11 that Havryliuk may resign due to a conflict with Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The resignation of Havryliuk, who was in charge of procurement at the Defense Ministry, follows a scandal over the transparency of defense procurement. Umerov has been lambasted by pro-reform MPs and anti-corruption activists for what they see as his efforts to destroy the independence of the Defense Procurement Agency, which was created in 2022 to make defense procurement more transparent and crack down on corruption. In January Umerov fired Maryna Bezrukova, the head of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA). On April 7, Havryliuk also announced the ministry planned to merge the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) and the State Rear Operator (DOT), a sister agency overseeing the procurement of non-lethal supplies for the Armed Forces. He said that the merger may take place after martial law is lifted. One of NATO and European partners' requirements for Ukraine was the establishment of two agencies that would be directly responsible for procurement for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, not through the Defense Ministry or contractors. The defense procurement sector was reshaped in December 2023, aiming to meet NATO standards. The DPA, first established in August 2022, was to focus solely on lethal aid. Meanwhile, the DOT was formed to purchase non-lethal aid such as food and clothing. Havryliuk was appointed first deputy defense minister in charge of procurement in May 2024. In early March, he was appointed a member of the DPA's Supervisory Board along with Stanislav Haider, Umerov's ex-deputy who was dismissed last fall. Read also: Allies launch electronic warfare coalition to back Ukraine We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Bloomberg
09-04-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Estonia Sends Major Group of Defense Firms to Build Ukraine Ties
Thirty Estonian defense businesses visited Ukraine this week, the largest trip of its kind to be organized by the Baltic nation to cultivate industry ties and seek battlefield testing opportunities in a war zone. The companies were given an overview of the situation on the front line and procurement opportunities from top officials at Ukraine's Defense Ministry and Defense Procurement Agency, the group said in a statement sent on Wednesday.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukraine to buy 4.5 million FPV drones in 2025
Ukraine plans to purchase 4.5 million first-person-view (FPV) drones this year as part of a large-scale effort to equip its military with advanced technologies, the Defense Ministry reported on March 10. The total cost of the procurement exceeds Hr 110 billion ($2.6 billion), with Hr 102 billion ($2.4 billion) allocated through the Defense Procurement Agency. FPV drones, which are cost-effective and capable of precise targeting, have proven highly effective in destroying expensive military equipment. Both Ukraine and Russia have increasingly relied on drone warfare, using aerial, naval, and ground-based drones for reconnaissance and combat missions. The number of Russian targets destroyed by Ukrainian drones rose by 22% in February compared to January, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported. Kyiv has also been accelerating the production of long-range missile-drone hybrids, with President Volodymyr Zelensky setting a target of at least 30,000 long-range drones in 2025. Read also: Ukrainian drones mark 22% increase in Russian target destruction in February, Syrskyi says We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
