A high rating for the head of ARMA Duma: is it a sign of talent or just good publicity?

The head of the Asset Recovery and Management Agency, Elena Duma, received an “excellent” rating following the assessment of her official activities in 2024. This indicates that she will not only retain her position but also receive a bonus for her “outstanding achievements.” However, numerous scandals surrounding the agency raise doubts about the transparency and effectiveness of its leadership, reports UNN.

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Under Elena Duma's leadership, ARMA has repeatedly found itself at the center of high-profile scandals that raise questions about the agency's transparency and operational efficiency.

Recently, the agency effectively took over the “disability marathon” from prosecutors - the police began investigating certain ARMA employees for allegedly obtaining fraudulent documents regarding disability status. Experts noted that if the accusations are confirmed, it should serve not only as grounds for resignation but also as a catalyst for a comprehensive review of the agency's operations.

Furthermore, ARMA's work under Elena Duma has faced constant criticism from anti-corruption organizations. In particular, Transparency International Ukraine pointed out that the agency currently requires significant reform and hardly meets the European standards it was established under. Anti-corruption activists indicated that there is often “contradictory communication from ARMA or its officials, combined with populism, violations of the presumption of innocence, and a lack of understanding of the competencies of state bodies.”

This is not the only criticism directed at ARMA for its populism. Earlier, experts noted that the agency focuses more on politically resonant cases involving oligarchs than on the effective preservation and management of transferred assets.

Moreover, experts have repeatedly questioned the political independence of ARMA's operations under Elena Duma. The agency's leadership even had to justify possible connections with controversial figures like Oleg Kulynych, who is accused of treason, and Valeriy Pisarenko, a close associate of former Deputy Head of the Administration Viktor Yanukovych, Andriy Portnov.

Another critical aspect is the complete lack of public oversight over ARMA's actions. The agency has been operating without a public council for three months, which disbanded itself due to systematic violations by ARMA's leadership of the legal requirements for involving the public in its activities. This situation, according to former members of the public council, is advantageous for the agency's head, Elena Duma, as the absence of oversight allows her to avoid public scrutiny of controversial issues.

Instead of addressing numerous criticisms, Elena Duma focuses on creating a positive image on social media. However, sometimes in her efforts to showcase her effectiveness, she “claims credit for others' achievements.” For instance, regarding the detention of the head of KRAIL, Ivan Rudy - Elena Duma began commenting on the arrest before law enforcement officially reported it, thus presenting their work as secondary.

Receiving an “excellent” rating while experts, public organizations, and journalists consistently express criticism is indeed a talent. But does this reflect real achievements or merely an ability to craft a favorable narrative?