**Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Agency Head Gets Contract Extension**
The supervisory board of Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) has given its current director, Maryna Bezrukova, a one-year contract extension. This decision was made on January 21.
This comes after the Ukrainian government dropped plans to merge the DPA and the State Logistics Operator (DOT). A NATO statement had advised against this merger, saying that the two agencies should be separate and have their own supervisory boards.
**New Audit Initiated**
In addition to extending Bezrukova’s contract, the board has also started a comprehensive audit of the agency’s activities. This audit will involve experts from NATO’s International Board of Auditors (IBAN).
Bezrukova was appointed head of the DPA after working at Ukraine’s energy company Ukrenergo.
**Separate Boards for Lethal and Non-Lethal Procurement**
The defense procurement sector in Ukraine has been reshaped to meet NATO standards. Separate boards were set up for lethal and non-lethal procurement agencies last fall, following a major overhaul in December 2023.
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