The conflict began when the Defense Procurement Agency's board unanimously voted to extend director Maryna Bezrukova's contract for another year.

Ukrainian investigators have opened a criminal case involving Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, a move likely to deepen a standoff in his ministry over arms procurement that could strain Kyiv's ties with important Western allies.

Ukraine’s defense minister fired the head of a state agency that acquired over $7 billion in armaments last year, citing “unsatisfactory” results. But, the official vowed to remain.