"The Anti-Corruption Center had already pointed out the dubious nature of this appointment: she never gathered the necessary number of votes," he wrote, adding that this was the first warning regarding potential issues with her personnel decision.
In his column, he also highlighted a number of circumstances surrounding Duma's career that cast doubt on her ability to effectively fulfill her duties in the new position.
"The Duma case is quite indicative: the media reported how Elena Duma found herself at the center of a scandal because, due to her actions or rather inaction, Ukraine nearly lost the yacht of former traitorous MP Medvedchuk, who was just a step away from regaining his property," Kulyk noted.
In his view, Duma effectively allowed the suspect of treason, Medvedchuk, to recover his assets, which sparked public outrage. The political scientist emphasized that while most lean towards the opinion that this was merely professional negligence, it is precisely such instances that raise questions about the professionalism of the head of the anti-corruption agency.
Another issue pointed out by Kulyk is the unprofessional management of assets.
"According to some experts, during Duma's leadership, ARMA has demonstrated significant inefficiency in managing seized assets," he wrote, providing several examples.
Among them, the most significant cases involve the companies "Airok," the shopping mall "Gulliver," and "Ukrnaftoburinnya." According to the political scientist, these cases "confirm ARMA's inability to effectively manage and preserve the economic potential of the country." He noted that due to negligence in managing such assets, Ukraine risks losing a substantial portion of its potential income.
"Airok" is a leading producer of autoclaved aerated concrete in Ukraine, whose assets were transferred to ARMA's management in 2022 due to ties with Russian business. Instead of ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the enterprise, ARMA effectively halted its activities. For several months, the "Airok" plants were idle, resulting in significant financial losses and raising doubts about the agency's effectiveness," the political scientist pointed out.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that agencies controlling key enterprises do not allow issues such as production stoppages or market losses.
The shopping mall "Gulliver," transferred to ARMA's management in the summer of 2024, is another example cited by the expert. He noted that ARMA failed to promptly assign a manager to the facility, resulting in several months of lost potential income.
"Only in October did ARMA announce a competition for a manager, thereby losing several months of potential income and development opportunities for this significant asset," Kulyk added.
He also mentioned the situation with "Ukrnaftoburinnya," one of the most profitable enterprises in the gas extraction sector. According to the political scientist, despite the strategic importance of the asset, its shares were seized due to a case from 20 years ago, and the enterprise was transferred to ARMA's management.
"This raises suspicions of 'legal raiding,' as an asset with liquid gas reserves and significant funds in accounts could become a tool for redistributing the gas extraction market in favor of those close to the authorities," he wrote.
According to Kulyk, the situation with ARMA only heightens concerns about corruption risks in Ukraine and illustrates how, under the guise of combating oligarchs, assets are transferred to individuals connected to "necessary" figures in power. Ukraine's Western partners are already expressing concern about these processes, and the situation with ARMA, in the political scientist's opinion, could lead to further loss of trust in Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions.