A major showdown at Ukraine’s defense procurement agency is causing headaches for arms suppliers and could threaten future supplies to troops on the front lines. According to industry sources, more than 80 defense companies are stuck in limbo, unable to get paid for completed orders or sign new contracts.

The issue stems from a leadership dispute that’s been brewing for over a week. The defense minister recently fired the agency’s director, citing poor planning and delays in getting supplies to the battlefield. However, the ousted director claims her dismissal was illegal and is refusing to step down.

For now, the conflict hasn’t disrupted current arms deliveries, which are based on older contracts. But suppliers are warning that if the standoff continues, it could create major shortages in the coming months—something Ukraine’s military can’t afford as it fights to hold off Russian advances.

The situation has become so messy that both the fired director and her temporary replacement have been operating from the same office, leaving international partners and defense companies unsure who’s actually in charge. One stalled project includes a contract to produce 155mm artillery shells, a critical resource for Ukraine’s forces.

With billions of dollars in procurement funds at stake, resolving this bureaucratic tug-of-war is crucial. As the standoff drags on, the pressure is mounting to find a solution before it impacts the troops who depend on these supplies to keep fighting.