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.

Amid infighting over arms procurement, Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister was dismissed. With the war against Russia intensifying, Defence Minister Umerov criticized inefficiencies and potential corruption in procurement,

The head of the Ukrainian State Logistics Operator, Arsen Zhumadilov, who was elected by the Ministry of Defence to replace Maryna Bezrukova as head of the Defence Procurement Agency, said he agreed to take over the second company "in this difficult time".

Ukraine's government on Tuesday sacked a deputy defence minister in charge of weapons purchases amid infighting over procurement that is complicating Kyiv's attempt to reassure key Western partners at a critical moment in the war with Russia.

Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating Defence Minister Rustem Umerov for alleged abuse of power after he overruled a board decision on procurement. View on euronews