New advisory group begins transparency reforms in Ukraine’s defense ministry

An advisory body called the Office for Support of Changes, under Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, begins its work to transform the ministry.

Rubryka reports, citing the head of the advisory group, Yulia Marushevska, on Facebook, and the head of Medical Procurement of Ukraine, Arsen Zhumadilov, on Facebook, that the first reform will change the public procurement system.

It is reported that Arsen Zhumadilov will head the team for this reform and provide expert support to implement it effectively.

The reform launches a specialized institution that will implement qualitative and systemic changes in public procurement to ensure the supply system's continuity, stability, and manageability for the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Zhumadilov confirmed that he headed the procurement department.

"I'm joining the transformational changes of the defense ministry within the team of the Office of Change Management under the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine," he wrote.

He emphasized that the team will form the foundation and framework for the practical work of the institution for state procurement in the future, reflecting its fundamental values and approaches to work.

The head of the advisory group, Yulia Marushevska, stressed:

"The work is based on project teams and successive launch of changes. It is impossible to cover everything simultaneously at the high level needed now, so we will gradually launch directions with a formed vision and powerful teams."

The first reform will concern public procurement. The focus will be on non-lethal nomenclature (rear purchases) and provide for a constant and sustainable supply system of the trusted nomenclature, zero tolerance for corruption, non-discriminatory conditions for market participants, and building trust among stakeholders.

Following an investigative report by ZN.ua, it was revealed that the defense ministry was purchasing food for service members at two to three times the price found in Kyiv stores. This caused a scandal that led to the resignation and firing of Deputy Defense Minister Viacheslav Shapovalov, as well as the dismissal of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi from his position as director of the procurement department of the Ministry of Defense due to his involvement in the embezzlement of $580,000 during military ammunition purchases.

In response, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal called for an update to the public procurement system for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which will now include the publication of prices for products and goods. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has since updated its contracts with food suppliers for the Ukrainian military public, and President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Law No. 8381, which aims to introduce transparency in defense procurement.