Ukraine's Defence Industry chief resigns after ammunition depot strike

Herman Smetanin has announced that he is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer of Ukrainian Defence Industry (Ukroboronprom), the state-owned defence conglomerate, amid a series of personnel decisions following the explosion at an ammunition depot in Vyshneve, Kyiv region.

Announcing his departure, Smetanin thanked colleagues for their support during his tenure.

"Today I am finishing my work as the General Director of the Joint-Stock Company 'Ukrainian Defence Industry'. It was an honor for me to lead the largest defence company of Ukraine," Smetanin said.

He also wished his successor and the company's staff success in carrying out their responsibilities.

"I wish the new head and the team further success in fulfilling the important state mission," he added.

Smetanin did not disclose the reasons for his resignation. His departure comes amid personnel changes announced after the detonation of ammunition warehouses in Vyshneve.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the warehouses were struck during a Russian attack. The incident resulted in what officials described as the largest destruction of residential areas in Vyshneve since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, with approximately 13 hectares of residential development affected.

Following the incident, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he expected the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the country's intelligence agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the events in Vyshneve, where residents were evacuated because of the risk of further explosions.

The president also indicated that the incident would be followed by personnel decisions within Ukroboronprom, although no official link has been made between Smetanin's resignation and those measures.

By Vafa Guliyeva