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.

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,

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 lengthy efforts to clean up its weapons procurement are in danger of being unwound as the Defense Ministry strangleholds the Defense Procurement Agency, say anti-corruption activists and lawmakers.

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