Anti-corruption activists, who are now criticising Rustem Umerov, tried to promote their own interests and people in the Ministry of Defence. This was stated by a former adviser to the minister, pointing to specific cases of lobbying by the head of the AntAC, Daria Kaleniuk.
Anti-corruption pressure on the Ministry of Defence
According to a former adviser to the Minister of Defence Diana Davitian, anti-corruption activists who are now actively criticising Rustem Umerov responsible for defence procurement, tried to influence the agency's personnel policy and decisions themselves. In particular, the executive director of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre (AntAC) Daria Kaleniuk promoted its people, companies and own interests in the Ministry of Defence.
According to Davityan, Kaleniuk personally brought the minister a letter to the US partners asking for $20 million to upgrade two MiG aircraft with radars. However, according to Davityan, this request was not agreed with the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and had no confirmation of the need and no guarantees of the result. More information about these facts can be found in publications by the former minister's advisor.
Lobbying for staff and interests
In addition to financial initiatives, Kaleniuk, according to Davityan, lobbied for the appointment of a candidate she knew from South Korea to the supervisory board of the Defence Procurement Agency. According to the ex-advisor, this candidate had previously worked for the intelligence services of other countries. Kaleniuk also tried to promote her friends to the positions of deputy ministers of defence, which caused internal resistance in the ministry.
Davityan emphasises that the minister's blocking of these initiatives has led to further harsh criticism of Umerov by anti-corruption activists. She emphasises that such behaviour does not comply with the declared principles of transparency and the fight against corruption.
Response of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre
According to Davityan, the AntAC initially welcomed the appointment of Umerov as Defence Minister. However, after the head of the organisation failed to implement her human resources and financial initiatives, the position of the organisation changed dramatically. Umerov became the target of systematic criticism from the AntAC and its affiliated activists.
Davitian points out that the assessment of the minister's and the agency's actions has become ambiguous and depends on who initiates the decision. She considers this to be a manifestation of hypocrisy and a substitution of the concepts of anti-corruption activity.
Why it matters
The influence of civil society organisations on personnel policy and defence procurement during wartime raises questions about transparency and accountability. When anti-corruption activists try to promote their own interests or lobby for the appointment of cronies, this can undermine the credibility of key defence reforms and decisions.
The situation around the Ministry of Defence and the AntAC demonstrates that the fight against corruption must be based on principles, not personal interests. Otherwise, society runs the risk of losing faith in both state institutions and public oversight. In times of war, such conflicts are particularly dangerous because they affect the effectiveness of defence policy and international support for Ukraine.
