CEO of Ukroboronprom steps down from his post after ammunition depot explosions in Vyshneve

Herman Smetanin has announced the end of his tenure as CEO of the Joint Stock Company Ukroboronprom (Ukrainian Defense Industry).

Source: Smetanin on social media

Quote: "Today I am concluding my work as CEO of the Joint Stock Company Ukrainian Defense Industry. It has been an honour to lead Ukraine's largest defence company."

Details: Speaking of achievements, he expressed his conviction that the main one is the professional team both within the company and at the group's branches – managers, designers, engineers, technologists, production workers, veterans and all those who work every day for results.

"I thank everyone for this incredible time and for each of your achievements, and wish you even more drive and new successes.

I sincerely thank the president of Ukraine for his leadership in the incredible development of Ukrainian defence industry, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Parliament, Ukroboronprom's Supervisory Board, the National Security and Defence Council, the Ministry of Defence, the Interior Ministry, the National Guard of Ukraine, the Security Service, the Foreign Intelligence Service, Defence Intelligence, the State Border Guard Service, the National Police, the State Special Communications Service, the State Guard of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service, and of course the General Staff and the Armed Forces of Ukraine for your incredible resilience and strength.

Thanks to you, the Ukrainian defence industrial base is today one of the strongest and most dynamic in the world," Smetanin stressed.

He also separately thanked colleagues and arms manufacturers with whom he worked side by side.

"I wish the new leadership and the team continued success in fulfilling this important state mission," Smetanin concluded.

Background:

• On the night of 6 July, the Russians launched another large-scale strike on Ukraine. Nine people were killed and 58 injured in Kyiv Oblast. An evacuation was declared in Vyshneve due to the threat of repeated detonation.
• On 9 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that an ammunition depot belonging to one of Ukroboronprom's ammunition depots had exploded in the city of Vyshneve in Kyiv Oblast. At the time, the head of state announced dismissals at the company.
• On 12 July, Ukroboronprom announced the dismissal of the heads of two state companies.
• Smetanin took charge of Ukroboronprom for the second time following a competitive selection process in August 2025. He first headed the company in 2023.

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