Defense Ministry must resolve procurement agencies issues by February, Deputy PM says
Olha Stefanishyna added that such "aggressive public communication" does not beneficial inside or outside Ukraine.
Defense Ministry
Defense Minister Umerov under investigation for possible abuse of power, office position, media reports
Proceedings against Rustem Umerov opened at the request of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, NABU said.
Ukraine war latest: Putin claims Zelensky doesn't have a right to sign any potential peace deal
Key developments on Jan. 28: * Putin claims Zelensky doesn't have a right to sign any potential peace deal * 'Pure propaganda' — Kharkiv Oblast governor denies Russian claims of capturing Dvorichna * Italian parliament extends military support for Ukraine through 2025 * SBU says it dismantled Russian spy network targeting F-16 jets * Government dismisses
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 11
Editor’s note: This is issue 11 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from Jan. 13–19, 2025. This newsletter was until recently titled “Ukrainian Economy in Brief." The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial
Government dismisses Deputy Defense Minister Klimenkov amid procurement tensions
The decision follows ongoing tensions within the Defense Ministry over its weapons procurement process, which has been heavily scrutinized amid reform efforts.
Procurement for Ukrainian forces may be blocked due to legal conflict, Defense Procurement Agency's head says
"Contracting and supplies may be blocked because we are in a legal conflict," Maryna Bezrukova, Defense Procurement Agency head, said.
Parliament committee head calls for defense minister's resignation as defense procurement scandal escalates
Umerov has been lambasted by pro-reform MPs and anti-corruption activists for what they see as his efforts to destroy the independence of the Defense Procurement Agency. Anti-corruption watchdogs have also argued that Umerov's actions jeopardize Western military aid for Ukraine.
Defense Minister Umerov dismisses top official who stood up to him
Ukraine’s lengthy efforts to clean up its weapons procurement are in danger of being unwound as the Defense Ministry strangleholds the Defense Procurement Agency, say anti-corruption activists and lawmakers. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Jan. 24 that he would not renew the contract of Maryna Bezrukova, the head
Supervisory board extends arms procurement head's contract, initiates audit following proposed merger
The contract extensions comes after Defense Minister Rustem Umerov walked back on plans to merge the Defense Procurement Agency and the State Logistics Operator into one agency, following a NATO statement said that the two agencies should be kept separate and two separate supervisory boards established "to perform their tasks and supporting their independence and anti-corruption policies."
Arms procurement head should keep post, supervisory board says
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov planned to merge the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) and the State Logistics Operator (DOT) into one agency but changed his mind after a NATO statement said that the two agencies should be kept separate and two separate supervisory boards should be established.
Students who fail military exam or refuse oath cannot continue higher ed, official says
"If students cannot pass the exam ... if they refuse to take the military oath, they will not be able to study in higher education institutions in the future," Deputy Defense Minister Serhii Melnyk said.
Basic military training to start in Ukrainian higher education institutions in September 2025
The course will consist of 90 academic hours of theory study and 210 academic hours of practical training.
Russian FSB officer found dead in Moscow Defense Ministry building, media reports
Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) counterintelligence officer Vladimir Feshchenko was found dead in a Russian Defense Ministry building in Moscow, Russian state-owned outlet RIA Novosti reported on Jan. 14.
Ukraine opens doors to foreign firms for military equipment modernization
Ukraine's government has approved a measure allowing foreign companies to participate in modernizing military equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Defense Ministry announced on Jan. 13.
Ukraine's Legion in Poland has received 1,300 applications; first women join the unit
The ministry announced on Jan. 10 that the second group of volunteers had already signed contracts in Lublin to join the unit. For the first time, the recruits included women who applied for medical and communications roles.
Umerov appoints ex-Infrastructure Minister Kubrakov as his advisor to tackle logistics
Oleksandr Kubrakov's "experience as the deputy prime minister, the infrastructure minister, and head of Ukravtodor is important and will help improve the supply and logistics in the Armed Forces," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on his Telegram channel.
Ukraine secures over $156 million for defense industry from European allies, defense minister says
The funds will support the production of long-range drones, missiles, and artillery, which are critical to Ukraine’s defense strategy.
Ukrainian drones made up over 96% of UAVs military used in 2024, defense minister says
The domestic drone industry "reached unprecedented production volumes" in 2024, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Dec. 28.
Ukraine approves homemade Shchedryk aerial vehicle for military use
The Shchedryk unmanned aerial vehicle has increased resistance to electronic warfare and can be tasked with monitoring the actions of Russian troops on the battlefield, the Defense Minitsry said.
Kyiv to simplify procurement of drones, electronic warfare equipment
"From now on, the military will be able to plan their needs more effectively, and manufacturers will be able to focus on technological development and scaling up production," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.
Updated: Defense Ministry to investigate alleged abuse of service members in engineering brigade
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Dec. 16 ordered an investigation into the alleged abuse, extortion, and humiliation of soldiers in the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade by their commanders.
Deputy defense minister outlines military, financial plans for 2025 with Baltic, Nordic Allies
Defense Minister Serhii Boiev held talks with representatives of the foreign ministries of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden to outline plans for military and financial assistance to Ukraine in 2025, the Defense Ministry reported on its website on Nov. 14.
Ukraine approves Droid TW robotics system for combat operation
The system was approved after performing reliably in combat testing, the Defense Ministry said on Dec. 9.
Ukraine's new Palianytsia missile-drone enters serial production, minister says
"A new start-up implemented the Palianytsa missile project, which has already entered serial production thanks to the support of the Defense Ministry," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov wrote in a piece published by the LB.UA outlet.
Russia loses almost 46,000 troops, over $3 billion worth of military equipment in November, Defense Ministry says
In November, the Russian military lost 2,030 soldiers in one day, which is the highest rate of Russian losses in a day since Feb. 24, 2022.
Defense Ministry introduces military medical commissions reforms to be implemented by fall of 2025
Deputy Defense Minister Serhii Melnyk said that the principles of the commissions' work "have not changed for decades," and the current system is "a vestige of the old administrative approach."
Ukraine withdraws over 20,000 mortar shells due to malfunction
Out of 54,000 120 mm mortar shells suspected of having defects, about 24,000 are to be withdrawn, Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin said on Nov. 28.
Ukraine approves homemade Oncilla-Shturm armored personnel carrier for military use
"The domestic Oncilla-Shturm armored vehicle demonstrates Ukraine's progress in creating equipment that meets the modern needs of the battlefield," Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov said.
Ukraine reportedly withdrawing 100,000 mortar shells amid faulty ammunition probe
The statement comes amid mounting complaints and videos shared on social media that show the mortar shells not exploding or failing to hit their targets.
Ministry: Lithuania to fund production of Ukrainian long-range drones
The long-term agreement between Ukraine and Lithuania includes an initial tranche of 10 million euros which has already been agreed upon and focuses particularly on Ukraine's Palianytsia missile-like drones.
Defense Ministry pledges to draft bill on demobilization by Dec. 18, official says
It is not yet clear what conditions the Defense Ministry will propose for discharging military personnel from service, secretary of the parliamentary defense committee Roman Kostenko said.
Estonia to provide Ukraine with air defense missiles for testing
The missiles to be trialed by Ukraine are designed to counter drones, and can shoot down targets at an altitude of up to 2 kilometers.
(Updated: )
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