NABU suspects Umerov of abuse of power: investigation launched
29 January 09:25
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine has launched a pre-trial investigation against Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. He is suspected of abuse of power. This is reported by Interfax-Ukraine with reference to the NABU’s response to a request from the news agency, Komersant ukrainskyi reports
It is noted that on January 27, the NABU received a statement from the Anti-Corruption Action Center regarding the alleged illegal actions of the head of the Ministry of Defense. The Bureau reviewed the application and decided to launch a pre-trial investigation.
The pre-trial investigation was initiated for committing a crime by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov under Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of power or official position).
“Based on the results of the consideration of the application, a decision was made in accordance with Article 214 of the CPC of Ukraine to enter information into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations and a pre-trial investigation was initiated in criminal proceedings dated 27.01.2025 with preliminary legal qualification under Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine,” the NABU said in a response to the agency’s request
However, the agency noted that it could not provide other details, such as the grounds for opening the case, the circumstances being investigated, and whether Umerov has procedural status in the case.
Earlier, the AntAC itself announced the registration of the proceedings. This happened after Umerov announced on January 24 that he had decided not to extend the contract with the director of the Defense Procurement Agency, Maryna Bezrukova, for another year.
The AntAC noted that the head of the Defense Ministry “refused to comply with the decision of the Supervisory Board of the Defense Procurement Agency, contrary to the law.” Umerov also dismissed two members of the Supervisory Board, Taras Chmut and Yuriy Dzhyhyr.
The scandal of the Defense Ministry and the Defense Procurement Agency
on January 24, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that the Defense Ministry would not extend the contract with the director of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), Maryna Bezrukova, whose contract was extended by the Supervisory Board of the DPA for another year on January 24.
Arsen Zhumadilov, the current head of the DOT, has already agreed to head the agency. In addition, two representatives of the state, Yuriy Dzhyhyr and Taras Chmut, are to be recalled from the Supervisory Board.
In her turn, Bezrukova said she would remain the head of the Healthcare Agency. She was shocked by the Defense Minister’s statement about the non-renewal of her contract. According to her, “it looks like an attempt to rape all the reforms that were announced and promised to the public.”
Prior to that, the Supervisory Board of the Healthcare Agency approved the extension of Maryna Bezrukova’s contract for another year. According to the agency, no additional approval from the Defense Ministry is required.
The volume of procurement by the Defense Ministry is about UAH 300 billion a year, while the State Defense Enterprise’s procurement volume is about UAH 100 billion.