Ukraine Defense Procurement Conflict May Hit Weapon Deliveries
- Defense minister’s removal of procurement chief draws scrutiny
- Official’s dismissal criticized by lawmakers, oversight body
Soldiers of an artillery crew fire a howitzer at the positions of Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on Jan. 11.
Photographer: Ukrinform/NurPhoto/Getty Images
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Ukraine’s defense minister faced mounting criticism for his dismissal of a key official responsible for weapons supplies, threatening a rift with foreign partners as Ukraine’s forces struggle to hold off Russia’s advances.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov fired Defense Procurement Agency Director Maryna Bezrukova on Friday over “unsatisfactory” weapons deliveries to the front. The decision drew criticism from lawmakers in President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s party and officials responsible for supervising the ministry’s activities.