German Smetanin appointed Ukroboronprom general director

MOSCOW. June 28 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian government has appointed German Smetanin Ukrainian Defense Industry (Ukroboronprom) general director, Ukrainian media said with the reference to the Ukrainian Ministry of Strategic Industries.

"A resolution of the Ukrainian government has appointed a new head of the Ukrainian Defense Industry joint stock company until the formation of a supervisory board and a contest for this position. The resolution takes effect on June 28, 2023," the statement said.

Smetanin has nine years of experience with the defense industry. He will focus on ramping up production of weapons and military hardware.

According to Minister of Strategic Industries Alexander Kamyshin, the replacement of the head of the largest public defense company is one of the first essential steps toward the company's reform, the statement said.

"The newly appointed general director has three main tasks, namely, ramping up production of Ukrainian weapons and ammunition, building effective anti-corruption infrastructure, and carrying out a genuine reform of Ukroboronprom. These are important steps towards 'iron-clad transformations' in the domestic defense industry. Additionally, we will strengthen the defense sector, significantly increase the volume and pace of production and, thereby, make it the driver of recovery of the national economy," it said.

Smetanin-led Ukroboronprom "will accept everything Ukroboronprom has had to its balance and staff," the statement said.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed an executive order to relieve Ukroboronprom General Director Yury Gusev of duties. Order 357/2023 was published on the presidential website. It was reported that Gusev tendered his resignation, and it was accepted.