Defense Ministry

Chance for reform: what Fedorov’s appointment means for front and army We are dedicating this stream to a very important event that took place in the Verkhovna Rada. A new Minister of Defense has been appointed — Mykhailo Fedorov. The position of defense minister, which effectively shapes Ukraine’s entire defense policy, has always drawn close attention. And this appointment is truly worth a separate discussion and a clear assessment so that you and I can understand where we are headed in the war. 15.01.26 21:53 9 686 54 Previously in trend: Personnel changes in government

Between Finance Ministry’s Scylla and General Staff’s Charybdis: what awaits new defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov has long dreamed of becoming defense minister and remains one step away from fulfilling that dream, despite Tuesday’s failed vote. 13.01.26 23:41 6 868 12 Previously in trend: Staff changes Personnel changes in government

Butterfly effect: How Mindich case could put end to Ministry of Defence’s procurement Ukrainians are still waiting for the release of recordings from Timur Mindich’s apartment on defence. However, this case has already had a butterfly effect, where a random fact causes chaos and destructive changes, negatively affecting the effectiveness of the Ministry of Defence’s work. 16.12.25 17:36 9 884 4

How DOT-Chain Defence is changing rules of game for Ukraine’s drone industry DOT-Chain Defence is a digital platform that enables military units to order defence products directly from manufacturers. It primarily covers the procurement of drones and electronic warfare (EW) systems. 14.10.25 22:11 186 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Textile war over $200 million, one arrest and long list of MoD corruption risks On August 21, 2025, officers of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), with the operational support of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), served notices of suspicion to officials of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and to the director of a supplier company that had delivered substandard ballistic goggles. 10.09.25 21:26 3 059 4 Previously in trend: Corruption in MoD

Lack of specialists affecting country’s defence capability. What to do? Ukraine suffers from a shortage of personnel. The shortage of specialists is felt everywhere - both at the front and in the rear. First of all, defence companies suffer from this. The required specialists are either already working, mobilised or have gone abroad. However, the problem is complex and did not appear yesterday. The Great War simply elevated it to an absolute. 15.08.25 22:55 149 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Find $6 billion and not kick bucket in fighting over pots: what Umerov left to Shmyhal The attack on the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) diverted attention from another significant event that has remained entirely in the shadows - the replacement of the defence minister. It has been more than three weeks since Denys Shmyhal assumed this post. In that time, he has appointed his deputies and outlined his priorities, making it the right moment to examine the legacy Rustem Umierov left him and the challenges now facing the ministry. 08.08.25 19:32 30 869 20 Previously in trend: defense procurement Defense Ministry appointments

Defence indulgences: how persons involved in Reznikov-era scandals might get off scot-free The bill on so-called defense indulgences has not yet been considered, but some figures involved in scandals surrounding the Ministry of Defense procurement are already trying to resolve their legal issues. 14.07.25 17:11 5 742 15 Previously in trend: Scandals with procurement for AFU

Without jackets and underwear: why suppliers have started another war with Ministry of Defence In May 2025, almost 20 tenders of the "State Logistics Operator" for the supply of non-lethal supplies to the army were cancelled. These were mostly textile products, such as jackets, trousers, underpants, bags, and backpacks. 29.05.25 15:31 12 230 25 Previously in trend: Scandals with procurement in SLO Clothing procurement for AFU

Exemplary fraud: 4 stories about how Ukraine had paid for weapons but received nothing or junk Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has paid about $770 million in advance to foreign suppliers for weapons and ammunition that have never been delivered. 21.05.25 14:16 15 974 23 Previously in trend: Scandals with procurement for AFU

Why MoD supplier is complaining about pressure from SBI and whether it is really overcharging On Sunday, businessman Oleksandr Sokolovskyi said that the State Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation into his companies, which supply textiles to the Defense Ministry, over allegations of overpricing and transferring funds abroad. According to the businessman, this is how he is being pressured to pay bribes to certain entities. 31.03.25 16:57 5 759 3

Zhumadilov’s year: significant progress, but with contracts for Peoples’ Deputies relatives firms On Friday, Defense Minister Rustem Umierov announced that Arsen Zhumadilov will now head both the DOT (State Operator For Non-Lethal Acquisition) and the DPA (Defense Procurement Agency) 27.01.25 20:29 9 958 33

Maryna Bezrukova: We are not tame buyers who are ready to drain budget into billions, just by someone’s verbal order The Supervisory Board of the Defense Procurement Agency has extended the contract with Maryna Bezrukova, and later Defense Minister Rustem Umierov announced that he was dismissing Bezrukova. 25.01.25 17:35 29 986 35

Have you seen Hlyniana’s trunk? That’s enough. How Defence Ministry’s food mafia has kept its market Two years have passed since the scandal surrounding the 17 UAH eggs. During this time, the Minister of Defence has changed, the "State Logistics Operator" has been launched, but the "food mafia" continues to supply food to the Ukrainian army. 22.01.25 14:44 17 567 39

Alongside state treason: whether largest supplier of oils to Ministry of Defense is connected to Ponomarov’s group A few days ago, Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov boasted that the procurement agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the State Logistics Operator, saved UAH 2.26 million when purchasing lubricants for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for 2025. 07.01.25 23:00 10 900 12

How infighting in Ministry of Defence makes financiers laugh at them, but does not remove suspicions of promoting one supplier Two weeks after the Cabinet of Ministers handed over 23 billion to the State Border Guard Service for the purchase of ammunition from a particular company, the Ministry of Defence has finally decided to explain why it did so. Allegedly, so that this money would not simply burn up by the end of the year. Censor.NET investigated whether this is true. 17.12.24 14:00 9 285 25

Umierov’s "Ministry of Sabotage" In November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Ukraine Resilience Plan, a list of changes to strengthen the country from within. A month earlier, the president had handed over a five-point Victory Plan with three secret annexes to the allies, which was supposed to turn the tide of the war with Russia in Ukraine’s favor. Readers have already seen dozens of discussions about the content of both plans in the media and on social media. 06.12.24 15:09 12 209 36

Arms wars and New Year’s gifts: how 23 billion were taken from disobedient Bezrukova and given to border guards The end of 2024 looks like it will be a year full of arms scandals. No sooner had we recovered from the news that the 120th mine had been sent to the frontline that did not explode, which was the fault of journalists, the military, the rain, but not the manufacturer, than another betrayal was delivered. 03.12.24 14:47 15 495 27

From Reznikov’s jackets to Umierov’s poncho: whether Defense Ministry will get rid of unscrupulous suppliers Last summer, the country was rocked by a scandal over Turkish jackets purchased by the Defense Ministry that turned out to be unsuitable for winter wear. 29.11.24 20:45 14 045 39

Insurmountable corruption risks of Ministry of Defense. Why new scandals are only matter of time We can punish someone for a crime, or we can prevent that crime from happening. The first is more attractive from the point of view of spectacle, but in fact, after the hundred and third time, it causes only irritation. And the emotional effect is much lower. But the losses remain. 15.11.24 18:51 9 562 21

Secret of Hlyniana’s trunk: carousel frauds, fronts, safe deposit boxes and Hrynkevych’s eggs On August 9, officers of the Bureau of Economic Security detained an accountant of a company that supplies products to the Ministry of Defense. She was carrying 4.7 million euros in her trunk. She could not explain the origin of the money. 27.08.24 18:55 41 219 17

Eggs for 3 hryvnias instead of 17: why this is far from victory over corruption The Ministry of Defence now buys eggs at UAH 2.40 per piece, and for the frontline Donetsk region - at UAH 3, even including delivery. This is the data from the latest food procurement tenders held by the State Logistics Operator of rear. And against the backdrop of eggs at 17 each, this is, of course, a victory. 07.08.24 13:38 10 794 35

Umierov to manufacturers: "Everyone has plan until they get punched in jaw". What quiet conflicts made minister angry Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Defense presented a portal for suppliers called "Partner of the MoD". The site aims to digitalize communication between the Ministry and suppliers and even increase their number. 05.08.24 19:26 38 450 31

Seized iPhones, but released defendants: what’s wrong with investigation of crimes in Ministry of Defense Recently, the High Anti-Corruption Court lifted the house arrest of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, the former head of the Department of Public Procurement and Supply of Material Resources of the Ministry of Defense. 12.07.24 18:30 10 947 13

Prepare for mobilization: With what government provides recruits and what you should buy for yourself Mobilization continues in Ukraine. This process may soon intensify. BusinessCensor decided to find out what the state provides for the military, and what is better to be provided by yourself. 20.03.24 10:10 126 0 Ukrainian Politics

Blackmail with hungry army: what ultimatum did Ministry of Defense suppliers give? There are only a few hours left until the deadline for submitting bids for the food procurement. Meanwhile, on Monday, the Ministry of Defense held a meeting to decide what to do to prevent the army from running out of food. Therefore, units were ordered to stockpile. At the same time, for the first time since 2022, the Ministry is going to conclude a direct food contract. 05.03.24 17:05 56 253 33 Society

Hlynianas and Ivaniushchenkos forever: who and what prevents food reform for army Last week, the State Logistics Operator announced a repeat tender under a shortened procedure for the purchase of food for the army. This happened after the DOT (State Logistics Operator) was forced to cancel the previous tender on February 22 following a ruling by the Sixth Administrative Court of Appeal in Kyiv. 04.03.24 10:30 6 679 20 Society

Once again about battle with food mafia: how telegram channels are used to put pressure on court The legal war over the new criteria for purchasing food for the military continues. As of the end of last week, 5 lawsuits were left without consideration by the judges of the Court of Appeal. For the most part, the State Logistics Operator (SLO - ed. note) managed to defeat them due to violations of procedural requirements for lawsuits by opponents. 12.02.24 12:50 5 393 7 Economics

Food mafia of Ministry of Defense does not give up: why Arsen Zhumadilov, DOT was targeted with ordered fudge Last Friday, the State Logistics Operator (DOT) announced a new tender for the purchase of food for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Despite the fact that the DOT has not yet been able to launch the announced procurement system by commodity group for the second quarter, it has nevertheless significantly changed the rules of the game for this market segment. 09.02.24 18:55 23 590 55 Previously in trend: War

From cooperative with Russians in Kozyn to legendary "Itera": who is organizer of mine scam Khoroshayev? Censor.NET continues to study the case of the "Lviv Arsenal" and its defendants. Currently, the publication is focusing on Oleksiy Khoroshayev, a representative of the Slovak company Sevotech, who left for Prague just before Russia’s full-scale invasion. And in Ukraine, he did business with very difficult Russians - from a cooperative in Kozyn to the legendary gas supplier "Itera". 31.01.24 09:10 20 566 6 Economics

How Ukraine lost 100,000 mines: what does female leadership and granddaughter in Putin’s administration have to do with it? More than a year ago, Yuriy Zbitnev’s company "Lviv Arsenal" received a contract worth 1.4 billion, but never delivered the weapons. Ukrainian journalists have been writing about this case for six months, but there has been no communication from law enforcement on this story. A request from the Public Anti-Corruption Council at the Ministry of Defence revealed that the National Police is investigating the case of non-delivery. 26.01.24 10:25 26 247 33 Economics

If Defense Ministry will defeat food mafia. Waiting for last battle While we are following the detention of Roman Hrynkevych, a much more important process is taking place behind the scenes at the Ministry of Defence. It is about reforming food procurement and switching from purchasing an entire catalogue of 409 items to individual product groups. And it is already clear that the food mafia will fight for its billions to the last. In tandem with the military, which is interested. 22.01.24 11:55 16 960 35 Society

Hlyniana, supplier of 17-hryvnia eggs, sold Croatian hotels and... lost bag with money Ukrainian Tetiana Hlyniana, who became famous for contracting eggs for 17 UAH in a catalog for the Defense Ministry, is once again in the center of a scandal. 13.01.24 17:05 178 300 76 Society

For clean water: how Hlynyana, supplier to Defense Ministry, made money not only on eggs but also on water After the article about Tatiana Hlynyana, a supplier to the Ministry of Defence, her hotel in Croatia and eggs that cost 17 UAH, I saw many indignant comments: "Why are you manipulating the headline - it’s not like she made money on eggs." 09.01.24 11:15 35 002 34 Economics

How eggs for 17 have been transformed into hotels in Croatia: from life and affairs of Ministry of Defense’s food mafia The most scandalous supplier of goods to the Ministry of Defense, as it turns out, bought several hotels during the full-scale invasion. Journalists found them. And Censor.NET reveals the unknown details of how this scheme became possible. 07.01.24 10:40 19 415 60 Society

Gold rail carriage, sand quarry and luxury parties: why Ministry of Defense supplier bribed SBI with $500 thousand SBI officers detained a Lviv businessman, one of the largest suppliers to the Ministry of Defense, who offered a USD 500,000 bribe to one of the heads of the Bureau’s Main Investigation Department for assistance in returning property seized from companies under his control during the investigation. 30.12.23 10:40 127 675 71 Society

How can we provide uniforms and equipment to 500,000 people? The third year of the bloody full-scale war is about to begin. We hear about a plan to mobilize 500,000+ people. In order to mobilize them, we need a large amount of military uniforms and accessories from underwear, uniforms, boots to bulletproof vests and helmets. At the same time, one of the largest suppliers to the Ministry of Defense has shut down its factories and sent 1,200 people on unscheduled vacation. 28.12.23 16:00 17 934 0 Previously in trend: War

Will SSU stop arms of mafia and their shell corporations: unknown story of one detention On Friday, the Security Service of Ukraine, with the assistance of the Minister of Defence, dismantled a corruption scheme to purchase ammunition for the Armed Forces worth almost UAH 1.5 billion. As a result of complex measures, the head of one of the Defence Ministry’s Main Directorates involved in the fraud was detained in Kyiv. 23.12.23 10:10 21 643 22 Economics

Under protect of President’s Office: how NABU defendants cаme up in scandalous arms deal For six months now, Ukrainian journalists have been writing about how the Lviv Arsenal company received a contract worth 1.4 billion but has not delivered the weapons. However, Ukrainian law enforcement is not very interested in this. It’s a pity, otherwise, law enforcement would have found the same scammers who robbed the UMCC (United Mining and Chemical Company) and who had a "cover" in the President’s Office. 05.12.23 17:49 21 928 30 Society

Army does not need women’s underpants: how construction companies did not timely supply Ministry of Defense with jackets and trousers If the audit of the army’s food supply confirmed a huge overstatement of funds for the purchase of products, then with the material supply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Court of Auditors highlighted another huge problem of the Ministry of Defense – non-fulfillment of contracts. 07.11.23 20:36 73 782 32 Society

They even made money on dogs: what Accounting Chamber found in procurement of food by Ministry of Defense In the first half of 2023, the Ministry of Defence procured food at prices 30% higher than consumer prices, did not analyze prices, did not control the quantity of products supplied, and 75% of the items in the food catalog were not provided to units. 31.10.23 11:00 136 368 125 Previously in trend: War

Price of disorder in power is tens of thousands of lives President Zelensky said that we need a lot of drones. And Reintegration Minister Vereshchuk said that the war will last a long time. These things have long been obvious to everyone who is close to the war, but the leaders have only just begun to realise this. Although they said otherwise during the telethon for a long time. 16.08.23 09:00 23 250 97 Previously in trend: War

Money in army My battalion in 2014 basically took nothing from volunteering. Strangely, but there is something in it. If you rely on volunteering, then our army will never be heard from supply and logistics problems. 20.02.23 16:55 12 564 0 Previously in trend: War

Conflict surrounding Ministry of Defense is multi-level Yermak saved Reznikova in the minister’s chair in the battle with Arachamie, nobody is going to bear any responsibility for the unresolved problems of the Ministry of Defense. 17.02.23 21:25 17 483 68 Ukrainian Politics

Command and Staff paper The Military is a peculiar career for citizens. It deals in violence, life and death and is often the last political resort of a nation. Military Personnel are the only members of society a nation requires to ultimately risk their lives rather than accepting failure in a mission. The Military cannot afford to fail. This creates challenges for career officers that are particular to them and do not occur in any other profession. Two of these are the concepts of "Command” and "Staff”. Neither concept exist the same in any other walk of life but to the military they are the lifeblood that makes the system work. 11.05.18 09:57 17 975 14 World

Andriy Zagorodnyuk: The Ministry of Defence Reform Office’s main projects 41-year-old Andriy Zagorodnyuk took the reins of the Ministry of Defence Reforms Project Office (RPO) three years ago. Since then, RPO has become a unique example of cooperation between civil society and the defence ministry. We present a long read on the Reform Office’s key projects. 17.04.18 14:19 3 926 0 Economics

How does one get to be an expert? My defence and security expertise has come about by chance not by design. I would need a whole book to tell you how it came, but I shall try to illustrate with a few stories where my knowledge and understanding came from. 08.02.18 13:32 40 635 46 Society

“This assessment provides a good evidence base to shape future UK assistance to the Ministry of Defence,” — John Chesshire Interview with John Chesshire, CFIIA QIAL CIA Head of Assurance within the UK Central Government and an external reviewer for the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors. 14.03.17 18:05 10 531 15 Ukrainian Politics