Another “purge” in the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense: Umerov dismissed three of his deputies and the state secretary of the department

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has dismissed three of his deputies—Stanislav Haider, Oleksandr Serhiy and Yuriy Dzhyhir—as well as the state secretary of the ministry, Lyudmyla Darahan.

This information was shared on the ministry’s official page.

“I have signed a submission to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for the dismissal of Deputy Defense Ministers Stanislav Haider (who will take up the role as Head of the Minister’s Office), Oleksandr Serhiy, Yuriy Dzhyhir, and State Secretary Lyudmyla Darahan. I will announce new appointments, including those of deputy ministers, separately,” Umerov stated.

He added that these personnel changes are being made to ensure that “all processes are clear and controlled. Any external or internal attempts to influence them are unacceptable.”

Additionally, the minister announced reforms to the defense procurement system.

“Specialized State Enterprise ‘Spetstechnoexport’ (STE) is being transferred from the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) to the Ministry of Defense. I have set the task of completing the process of cleansing the procurement system in close cooperation with law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies,” Umerov noted.

He also mentioned ongoing reforms of the Defense Procurement Agency and the State Logistics Operator to “bring these processes closer to NATO standards.”

It’s worth recalling that at the end of September, the Defense Minister dismissed two deputies from the head of the GUR without coordinating this decision with Budanov.