The head of AOZ, Marina Bezrukova, candidly discussed the challenges and supply issues: "They have significantly impacted our operations."

In her interview with hromadske, the head of the Defense Procurement Agency, Marina Bezrukova, elaborated on the pressure from the Ministry of Defense, scandals related to defense contracts, and the challenges facing the reform of the procurement system. She also explained why changes to the charter of the DPA threaten the agency's independence, what manipulations are being used against it, and how political intrigue can harm military supply.

Marina Bezrukova, the head of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), has found herself at the center of a tense standoff with the Ministry of Defense. The changes to the DPA's charter, adopted at the end of 2024, have caused significant public outcry. According to these changes, the Ministry of Defense gained the right to dismiss agency leaders without the involvement of the Supervisory Board, which previously played a crucial role in such matters. These actions, according to public opinion, violate the principles of independence established during the DPA's creation and effectively place the agency under direct control of the Ministry of Defense.

“This undermines the idea of the agency's independence,” Bezrukova notes in her interview with hromadske. She is convinced that such changes are an attempt to interfere with the DPA's activities, which was established to reform the procurement process in the defense sector.

According to Bezrukova, tensions between the DPA and the Ministry of Defense arose even before the changes were approved. Specifically, the agency refused to extend a contract with a supplier that was failing to meet deadlines for the delivery of 120-millimeter mines. This situation, Bezrukova says, became a pretext for manipulations and accusations used to discredit her work.

The scandal involving defective mines, which received significant media coverage, concluded with an audit conducted by the Ministry of Defense. Bezrukova claims that the audit confirmed that the DPA acted within its authority and performed all necessary checks before signing the contract. “I reached out to both the SBU and other government bodies to assess potential risks. It was clear to us from the start that there would be problems with this contract,” she notes.

However, the conflict did not end there. In November 2024, the agency was accused of allegedly not utilizing 25 billion hryvnias from its budget. But according to Bezrukova, this is a manipulation. She explains that these funds were reserved for contracts that included, in particular, critically important items for the army's needs. However, this money was redirected for purchases for border guards.

“This decision was made at the level of the Supreme Commander’s Staff, and it significantly affected our work. We had to urgently conduct new negotiations to ensure the delivery of everything necessary,” she adds.

Nevertheless, the changes to the DPA's charter, which give the Ministry of Defense more control over the agency, cast doubt on the future of the reform. “This effectively destroys the idea of DPA independence. The Supervisory Board, which was supposed to make key decisions, is now turning into an advisory body,” Bezrukova notes.

Bezrukova openly states that the pressure from the Ministry of Defense is linked to the substantial financial resources attracted by the DPA. “This is a huge resource, and perhaps I have become inconvenient for someone. But I will never agree to turn this money into a tool of political influence. My task is to ensure the army has everything it needs,” she explains.

When asked if she will remain in her position, Bezrukova confidently replies: “I will not back down without a fight.” She hopes for the support of the public and those interested in a transparent and effective reform of the defense procurement system.