Latest news with #MarynaBezrukova
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's Defence Ministry explains reasons for dismissing Bezrukova as head of Defence Procurement Agency
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has dismissed Maryna Bezrukova due to the failure to fulfil planned supplies for the front line, remarks from the General Staff on poor procurement planning, communication problems, and leaks of classified information. Law enforcement agencies will consider these issues separately. Source: website of the Ministry of Defence Details: The situation was complicated by differences of opinion with the Supervisory Board of the Defence Ministry and its chairman, Yurii Dzhyhyr. Quote from the Ministry: "When Maryna Bezrukova was hired by the agency in January 2024, the contract with her was concluded by the Ministry of Defence, which acted on its own behalf as the agency's authorised management body. The law stipulates that a contract can only be amended by agreement of the parties. Thus, the extension of the contract with Maryna Bezrukova required the consent of the Ministry of Defence. Nevertheless, on 23 January 2025, the chairman of the supervisory board, Yurii Dzhyhyr, signed an additional agreement without the appropriate approval of the Ministry of Defence. By doing so, he went beyond his powers as defined by law and the company's charter." Details: Due to the conflict with the supervisory board, the Ministry of Defence dismissed state representatives Yurii Dzhyhyr and Taras Chmut. After that, it became ineligible (as only two out of five members remained), and its powers were transferred to the Ministry. This gives the Ministry of Defence the right to dismiss Bezrukova and appoint another head. The Ministry of Defence has also turned to law enforcement agencies to investigate and legally assess the actions of the agency's former leadership. Background: The supervisory board of the Defence Procurement Agency decided to extend Bezrukova's contract for a year, but the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine refused to approve this decision. Bezrukova was suspended for an internal investigation, and an interim acting director, Arsen Zhumadilov, a Ukrainian State Logistics Operator, was appointed. On 31 January, the Ministry of Justice clarified the statuses of the heads of the Defence Procurement Agency, where roles have been constantly changing. The ministry stated that Bezrukova retains the status of head but is suspended, while Zhumadilov is serving as the acting head. Maryna Bezrukova appealed to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to resolve the conflict around the Defence Procurement Agency. The contract between Maryna Bezrukova and the Defence Procurement Agency expires on 31 January and will not be extended. Support UP or become our patron!
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence appoints new temporary head of Defence Procurement Agency
The contract between Maryna Bezrukova and the Defence Procurement Agency expires on 31 January and will not be extended. Source: press service of Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Quote: "Today, Maryna Bezrukova's contract with the Defence Procurement Agency expires. Under the decision taken, the contract will not be extended, and she will resign from her duties as the head of the Defence Procurement Agency." Details: As of 1 February 2025, Arsen Zhumadilov will be temporarily acting head of the Defence Procurement Agency. He will perform these duties until the established procedure approves the new director. Background: Maryna Bezrukova appealed to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to resolve the conflict around the Defence Procurement Agency. The supervisory board of the Defence Procurement Agency decided to extend Bezrukova's contract for a year, but the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine refused to approve this decision. Bezrukova was suspended for an internal investigation, and an interim acting director, Arsen Zhumadilov, a Ukrainian State Logistics Operator, was appointed. On 31 January, the Ministry of Justice clarified the statuses of the heads of the Defence Procurement Agency, where roles have been constantly changing. The ministry stated that Bezrukova retains the status of head but is suspended, while Zhumadilov is serving as the acting head. The National Association of Ukraine's Defence Industry (NAUDI) also appealed to President Zelenskyy, urging him to intervene immediately to resolve the situation at the Defence Procurement Agency, whose operations are currently paralysed. Support UP or become our patron!
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian Justice Ministry explains status of Bezrukova and Zhumadilov in Defence Procurement Agency
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has explained the statuses of the heads of the Defence Procurement Agency, which have been constantly changing over the past week. Source: a statement by the ministry Details: It is noted that on 30 January, the State Registration Complaints Board received a complaint from the Ministry of Defence regarding the appeal of the decision of private notary Ivashchenko N. to amend the information about the head of the Defence Procurement Agency. As a result, the decision of 29 January 2025 was cancelled on 31 January 2025, and Maryna Bezrukova again became the head of the largest arms procurement agency. The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine decided to correct a technical error in the Unified State Register, which resulted in the following: A. Zhumadilov acquires the status of a representative of the Defence Procurement Agency with the restriction: "temporary performance of duties of the director for the period of internal investigation" Bezrukova M. retains the status of a head with the restriction: "suspended from performing official duties for the duration of the internal investigation" Background: On 25 January, following a decision of the Ministry of Defence, Arsen Zhumadilov, director of the State Logistics Operator, became the head of the Defence Procurement Agency. The previous director of the agency, Maryna Bezrukova, claimed that the decision was under pressure and unlawful. On 29 January, Maryna Bezrukova became the head of the Defence Procurement Agency again. The National Association of Ukrainian Defence Industries (NAUDI) appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, to immediately intervene in the situation around the state-owned Defence Procurement Agency. Its operation is currently paralysed. Support UP or become our patron!
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bezrukova reinstated as head of Ukraine's Defence Procurement Agency
Maryna Bezrukova is once again listed as the head of the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) in the state registry, marking the third leadership change within a week. Source: Interfax Ukraine; the open data platform YouControl; Anti-Corruption Action Centre (ACAC) on Telegram Quote from the ACAC: "In yet another leadership change – the THIRD in just one week – the state registry now lists Maryna Bezrukova as the head of the DPA again. Arsen Zhumadilov is no longer even mentioned as the acting head." Details: YouControl said the leadership change occurred on 29 January. Before that, Arsen Zhumadilov had been listed as the head of the DPA in the state registry since 25 January. Zhumadilov, who also leads the Ministry of Defence's specialised procurement organisation, Ukraine's State Logistics Operator, explained that Defence Minister Rustem Umierov had suspended Bezrukova during an internal investigation and temporarily appointed him to oversee the DPA. In an interview with Suspilne on 29 January, Bezrukova said that the internal investigation concerns a contract for the purchase of old mines, which has not yet come into effect. She also mentioned that the investigation was extended from 29 January to 7 February. The ACAC has stated that Zhumadilov's appointment as acting head of the DPA on 24 January and the subsequent changes to the leadership in the state registry on 25 January were illegal. The ACAC emphasizes that Zhumadilov was listed as the head of the DPA in the registry, without any mention that he was acting in a temporary capacity. ACAC's head Vitalii Shabunin called these actions an attack on the anti-corruption reform in the defence industry. Quote: "I have a strong request to the petty raiders: stop! The government's attack on the key anti-corruption reform in the defence sector has already been covered by the Financial Times, New York Times, and Bloomberg, and more will follow. We also have NATO's firm support and backing from G7 ambassadors. This shame is being broadcast worldwide at a time that is critically important for Ukraine's survival." Background: Defence Minister Rustem Umierov said on 24 January that the ministry would not be extending the contract with the head of the DPA, Maryna Bezrukova, because Ukraine's arms procurement had "turned into an Amazon" under her leadership. Arsen Zhumadilov, head of the Ukrainian State Logistics Operator, who has been appointed as the DPA's new head by the Defence Ministry, said he had agreed to head up the DPA "at this difficult time". Meanwhile, Bezrukova announced that she would continue to perform her duties, and the DPA said it would continue to work under her leadership, "because the right to extend or terminate a director's current contract is vested exclusively in the Supervisory Board". The ambassadors of the Group of Seven in Ukraine recommended "that the situation in the DPA be resolved expeditiously and focus on keeping defence procurement going". Support UP or become our patron!
The Hill
29-01-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Western officials warn Ukraine over weapons procurement dispute
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Western officials have warned Ukraine that an escalating rift between the defense minister and procurement chief may jeopardize trust in the country and urged the government to resolve the situation quickly so as not to disrupt weapons supplies. The conflict began last week when the Defense Procurement Agency's board unanimously voted to extend director Maryna Bezrukova's contract for another year. However, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov overruled the decision, refusing to renew her contract. He accused her of poor performance and failing to deliver weapons and ammunition to front-line troops. The decision provoked an outcry from lawmakers and anti-corruption watchdogs who said the minister's move was not legal because Bezrukova had her contract extended by the agency's supervisory board in January. Under Ukrainian law, Umerov's decision to go ahead with her dismissal is illegal. The rift comes as U.S. support for Ukraine is in question under the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement posted Monday on social media platform X, the ambassadors representing Group of Seven nations urged the government to resolve the situation 'expeditiously and focus on keeping defense procurement going.' 'Consistency with good governance principles and NATO recommendations is important to maintain the trust of the public and international partners,' they said. Following Umerov's decision, the Anti-Corruption Action Center filed a complaint urging the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) to investigate him for alleged abuse of power. Local media reported that NABU opened proceedings against Umerov at the Anti-Corruption Action Center's request. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine exchanged drone barrages overnight in an attempt to strike deeper into their enemy's territory. The Russian military said Wednesday it intercepted and destroyed 104 Ukrainian drones over nine Russian regions in one of the biggest drone attacks on Russia this year. No casualties or significant damage was reported. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 57 Shahed and other drones overnight. Moscow also attacked with missiles overnight. In southern Mykolaiv, a Russian ballistic missile struck a food enterprise Tuesday night, killing two female workers, regional head Vitalii Kim said. Odesa authorities said Russian drones attacked port infrastructure in the Ismail district of the region that borders NATO member Romania Romania's Ministry of National Defense said two F-16 fighter jets were dispatched at 3:20 a.m. to monitor airspace for about two hours, and emergency authorities issued text alerts to some residents living in Tulcea county, which is across the Danube river near Ukrainian ports. The ministry condemned the Russian attacks, calling them 'unjustified and in serious contradiction with the norms of international law,' and said NATO allies have been informed. Since the war next door started in February 2022, Romania has reported multiple airspace violations and confirmed drone fragments in its territory on several occasions.
