Abromavicius orders investigation of alleged Ukrspetseksport machinations

Aivaras Abromavicius, the former investment banker and
recently appointed general director of state defense monopoly Ukroboronprom,
ruled on Sept. 5 to begin an investigation of the reported decision by his
predecessor, Pavlo Bukin, to sign an order granting autonomy to
Ukrspetseksport, the body’s procurement division. On Aug. 19, Bukin signed a
new draft of the Ukrspetseksport’s regulations granting the company’s director
the autonomy to hire and dismiss employees, set wages and plan staffing, the
bihus.info news site reported on Sept. 3. The new regulations also prohibit
Ukroboronprom from disciplining Ukrspetseksport employees, and, in general,
maximally enhance the division’s authority at the expense of the state
monopoly.

Bukin was head of Ukrspetseksport between 2015 and
2018, before being promoted to general director of Ukroboronprom. He was
dismissed from this position on Aug. 30 by President Zelensky, who replaced
with him Abromavicius. Numerous investigative news reports have alleged
corruption in Ukraine’s defense sector since the start of warfare in Donbas,
including illegal sales to the Russian military and price gouging.

Also on Sept. 5, Ukroboronprom announced that Baker
Tilly Ukraine won the tender to conduct the consolidated audit of the state
defense monopoly.