Rustem Umerov

Rustem Umerov, currently Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council and former Defense Minister, has faced two primary corruption-related investigations and controversies. In January 2025, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) initiated a pre-trial investigation into Umerov for alleged abuse of power. This followed a complaint by the Anti-Corruption Action Centre regarding his refusal to comply with a Defense Procurement Agency supervisory board decision to extend the contract of director Maryna Bezrukova. Umerov subsequently dismissed the board members who supported the extension. Separately, Umerov has been implicated in the Midas case, a wide-reaching investigation involving businessman Tymur Mindich. While media reports and an internal Defense Ministry watchdog have alleged Umerov abused his office by coordinating with Mindich on defense contracts and procurement, NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office have confirmed Umerov holds the status of a witness in the case and has not been charged. Umerov has denied allegations of improper influence, stating that contracts discussed in the investigation—such as those for body armor—were terminated due to quality failures.