**Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Head Asks President to Intervene**
Maryna Bezrukova, the head of Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), is asking President Volodymyr Zelensky to stop the “destruction” of her agency. This comes after a dispute with the Defense Ministry over who should be in charge.
**Dispute Between DPA and Defense Ministry**
Last week, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov suspended Bezrukova and appointed Arsen Zhumadilov as temporary director of the DPA. But the agency’s supervisory board had voted to extend Bezrukova’s contract just days earlier. This move by Umerov was seen as a violation of Ukrainian law.
**Bezrukova Accuses Ministry of Trying to Destroy Agency**
Bezrukova has accused the Defense Ministry of trying to destroy her agency, saying that further delays would threaten critical supplies to Ukraine’s Armed Forces and damage trust with donors and partners. She is asking President Zelensky to intervene and resolve the conflict legally.
**Audit and Investigation Launched**
The dispute has led to an audit and a criminal investigation into possible abuse of power by Defense Minister Umerov. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) launched the investigation on January 28, while ambassadors from the Group of Seven (G7) countries called for a swift resolution on January 27.
**Bezrukova Stresses She is Lawful Director**
Despite her suspension, Bezrukova stresses that she is the lawful director of the DPA. The agency has stopped work due to the dispute, and Bezrukova is asking President Zelensky to ensure its stable operations without pressure or attacks.
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