KYIV (Reuters) - 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.

Ukraine’s Defence Ministry has launched licensed production of FPV drones at a state-owned company as part of a pilot project. Source: Ukraine's Defence Ministry Quote: "The state, as part of a pilot project launched in December last year and coordinated by the Main Directorate of Defence Innovations at the Ministry of Defence,

A spat between Ukraine’s defense minister and the country’s weapons procurement agency has escalated into a PR crisis. Now, Western officials and anti-corruption groups fear it could weaken U.S. support for Kyiv and jeopardize weapons deliveries,

The conflict began when the Defense Procurement Agency’s board unanimously voted to extend director Maryna Bezrukova’s contract for another year.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov opposed the reappointment of the head of the Armaments Procurement Agency. The controversial decision led to calls for the minister to be fired.

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