Arsen Zhumadilov, head of the Defense Procurement Agency (AOZ), submitted his resignation on 20 August, he said at a press conference.
According to Zhumadilov, his last working day in the post will be 31 August.
He said the reason was that his contract was due to expire at the beginning of next year, meaning the Agency would enter a new procurement season with a new team, which could affect continuity of processes.
“This is my decision; it was not made under anyone’s influence,” Zhumadilov added.
At the same time, he denied that he was resigning against the backdrop of the story about announcing tenders. He also denied any conflict with the previous leadership of the Ministry of Defense.
The team, Zhumadilov said, will remain working at AOZ.
“They will continue working as long as they want to. And now it will be the task of the Agency’s new head and the Ministry of Defense to ensure that this desire remains,” Zhumadilov noted.
Now AOZ’s supervisory board must hold a конкурс to select a new director of the Agency. Until then, the acting head will be Oleh Kliots, AOZ’s procurement director and former CEO of Medical Procurement of Ukraine.
- Arsen Zhumadilov has headed the Defense Procurement Agency (AOZ) since March 2025—he was appointed after Defense Minister Rustem Umerov decided not to extend the contract of the previous head of the agency, Maryna Bezrukova. Before that, Zhumadilov led the State Rear Operator (DOT).
- From 1 January 2026, DOT and AOZ were merged into a single procurement structure, which he continued to lead.
Read alsoMarketplace or tender? Arsen Zhumadilov on drone procurement and lessons from Ukraine’s partners