Cabinet of Ministers dismisses Deputy Minister of Defense Shapovalov

Press service of the government reports.

Earlier, the press service of the Ministry of Defense noted that Shapovalov resigned amid a scandal over purchase of food for Ukrainian Armed Forces at inflated prices, and Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov granted his request.

"Vyacheslav Shapovalov, who was responsible for rear support of Ukrainian Armed Forces, asked to be released in order not to create threats to the stable support of Ukrainian Armed Forces as a result of the campaign of accusations related to the purchase of food services," the department said in a statement.

"The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine believes that such a step will preserve the trust of society and international partners and ensure objectivity during additional clarifications and possible investigations," the Ministry of Defense added.

• Information that the Ministry of Defense purchases products for the military at prices significantly higher than in retail chains in Kyiv was published on January 21 by Dzerkalo Tyzhnya publication with reference to the agreement of the Ministry of Defense on purchase of products.

• The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine called accusations of purchasing products for the army at inflated prices as signs of deliberate manipulation.

• The National Anti-Corruption Bureau said that the bureau was aware of possible abuses by the Ministry of Defense in purchasing products for the military even before publications in mass media investigation is ongoing.