The National Anti-Corruption Bureau has initiated a criminal case against the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov due to potential abuse of power.
This information was reported by "Suspilne" citing a statement from the bureau's press service. It is noted that the relevant case was registered following a statement from the Anti-Corruption Center on January 27 regarding possible illegal actions by the minister. Specifically, it pertains to the potential commission of a criminal offense by Umerov as outlined in part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of official position).
At the same time, "Radio Liberty" referencing a response from NABU to journalists' inquiries, states that a case has been initiated concerning possible abuse of power or official position by the minister due to his refusal to extend the contract with the head of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) Marina Bezrukova and the dismissal of two members of the DPA Supervisory Board, Taras Chmut and Yuri Dzhigira.
"As a result of reviewing the statement (from the Anti-Corruption Center, – ed.), a decision was made in accordance with Article 214 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine to enter information into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations and initiate a pre-trial investigation in the criminal case from 27.01.2025 with preliminary legal qualification under part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," – the bureau's response states.
Meanwhile, NABU reminded about the presumption of innocence of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine.
"Radio Liberty" notes that part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine provides for punishment for officials in the form of imprisonment for a term of three to six years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in specific activities for up to three years, along with a fine ranging from five hundred to one thousand non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens.
Changes in the Ministry of Defense: You Might Have Missed This
On January 28, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers dismissed Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Dmitry Klimenko from his position. He was responsible for procurement issues.
Several days earlier, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov announced that he had made several personnel decisions, as over the past six months, instead of timely providing the army with ammunition, political games, "leaks" of contracts and information were taking place.
In particular, he stated that the contract with Marina Bezrukova, who headed the Defense Procurement Agency, would not be extended by the Ministry of Defense. Arsen Zhumadilov will be appointed as the new director of the DPA. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Defense is withdrawing two state representatives from the Supervisory Board.