MP Friz initiates invitation for Umerov and Fire Point representatives to Rada regarding Midas case

Member of Parliament from the European Solidarity faction Iryna Friz announced that she has requested the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, Oleksandr Zavitnevych, to invite NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov and authorized representatives of the Fire Point defense company to the next committee meeting.

Friz emphasized that this discussion is critically necessary due to the public resonance surrounding the Mindich tapes, which has created distrust regarding the transparency of procurement conducted by the Ministry of Defense. She noted that issues concerning procurement for the Armed Forces of Ukraine are highly sensitive for society and defenders at the front, and the committee must exercise parliamentary control to prevent unfair competition and manipulation in the defense sector.

Iryna Gerashchenko, co-chair of the European Solidarity faction, added that the corruption scandal undermines trust in defense procurement, which is a matter of national security. She called for any suspicions of manipulation in the defense sector to be publicly verified.

The investigation involves recordings documented by NABU within the Midas case at the apartment of businessman Tymur Mindich. The tapes reportedly capture discussions between Mindich and then-Defense Minister Rustem Umerov regarding the potential sale of a 33% stake in the weapons manufacturer Fire Point for $600 million. Of this amount, $300 million was allegedly intended for development and $300 million as a cash-out for shareholders, potentially including Mindich himself. In November 2025, Fire Point co-owner and chief designer Denys Shtylerman confirmed that Mindich had sought a 50% stake in the company.