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.

Western officials have warned that a growing dispute between Ukraine’s defense minister and the head of its procurement agency could undermine trust and disrupt weapons supplies

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.