The Anti-Corruption Council at the Ministry of Defense demands the removal of Umerov and partial nationalization of Fire Point
The reason was the alleged ties of the defense manufacturer to sanctioned businessman Timur Mindich.
The reason was the alleged ties of the defense manufacturer to sanctioned businessman Timur Mindich.
The Public Anti-Corruption Council under the Ministry of Defense calls for the removal of the former head of the department, Rustem Umerov, from the position of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council and for the initiation of the partial nationalization of the Fire Point company.
According to the council, there is strong evidence that the actual owner or one of the beneficiaries of Fire Point is Timur Mindich. Representatives of the GAR note that if this fact is legally confirmed in court, the company will completely lose the opportunity to supply its products to the Defense Forces, since the businessman is on the sanctions lists. In addition, Fire Point risks being fined for providing false information about the ultimate owners.
"So we have a complex, multi-layered problem. De jure, the sanctioned businessman still has no relation to the specified company and theoretically can remain in this status for many years to come, while the courts and appeals continue. De facto, the entire society has become convinced of the connections between Mindich and the Fire Point company," the statement says.
The council emphasizes that they see Rustem Umerov's actions in promoting the businessman's interests as signs of abuse of power and disclosure of state secrets. The GAR interprets Mindich's actions as signs of abuse of influence and incitement to misuse of funds.
To maintain uninterrupted supply of necessary products to the front and prevent enrichment of individuals involved in possible corruption schemes, the council called on the president to initiate selective nationalization of Fire Point. The GAR of the MoD also demands the creation of a special working group of representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and investigative bodies to conduct a comprehensive audit of the company's contracts and pricing.
As a reminder, Timur Mindich previously categorically denied any ties to Fire Point. According to him, such rumors are baseless and only harm defense companies.
However, recently, due to the publication of new "Mindich tapes", the temporary investigative commission of the Verkhovna Rada summoned the founders of the Ukrainian defense tech company Fire Point, Yegor Skalysia and Denys Shtilerman, to a meeting. Former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Serhiy Shefir were also summoned.
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