Ukraine’s Defence Ministry explains reasons for dismissing Bezrukova as head of Defence Procurement Agency
Pravda Ukraine
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.
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