Arsen Zhumadilov, director of Ukraine's Defense Procurement Agency, announced his resignation effective August 31. The move follows the appointment of Evhen Khmara as the new defense minister.
The resignation of a key procurement official in Ukraine's Defense Ministry, especially following a change in defense minister, raises questions about the stability and integrity of the country's defense supply chain during a critical period.
Arsen Zhumadilov, the director of Ukraine's Defense Ministry's Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), announced on August 20 that he has submitted his resignation, which will be effective August 31. Zhumadilov stated that the decision was personal and made in June, independent of external influences.
The announcement comes shortly after Ukraine's parliament confirmed the appointment of Evhen Khmara, formerly the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as the country's new defense minister. Following Zhumadilov's departure, Oleh Klots, previously the director general of the state-owned Medical Procurement of Ukraine, will assume the role of interim head of the DPA. A permanent successor will be appointed by the new defense minister.
Zhumadilov's tenure has seen significant organizational changes, including the merger of the State Rear Operator (DOT) and the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) into a single entity under his leadership in January. This merger had previously raised concerns among anti-corruption watchdogs and was noted as being contrary to NATO recommendations. Zhumadilov himself was questioned as a witness in May 2026 concerning a large corruption scandal involving businessman Timur Mindich and former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, though Zhumadilov denied any wrongdoing.
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