The Prosecutor-General of Ukraine has filed a case against former officials from the Ministry of Defense, accusing them to embezzle nearly $48.5 Million in purchases for low-quality equipment.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Ukraine has accused former Defense Ministry officers of embezzling almost $48.5 million when purchasing low-quality equipment for Ukrainian Defenders.
The prosecution of former high-ranking Defense Ministry officials is a sign that individuals are being held accountable for corruption in a critical sector such as national defense. In light of the ongoing conflict with Russia, it is vital that Ukraine maintains the integrity of its military procurement.
Three suspects — a former deputy defense minister, the head of Department of State Procurement and Supply of Material Resources of Defense Agency, and the director of Department of Development of Material Support of Armed Forces of Ukraine — are charged with embezzlement of assets and obstructing lawful activities of Armed Forces of Ukraine and military formations.
The Ukrainian prosecutors did not disclose the names of suspects.
The investigation revealed that the individuals involved in the procurement of low quality bulletproof vests using funds allocated from the budget of the state during the period of martial law organized the purchase with funds allotted by the budget.
In 2022, both the ministry and the foreign companies violated the procedures for the purchase of personal protective equipment. The agency purchased it at inflated rates with 100% prepayment.
The officials accepted the personal protection equipment without inspection, and transferred the low quality products to the Armed Forces of Ukraine military warehouses.
According to the investigation the equipment did meet the state and military standards of Ukraine or the technical requirements but could not protect Ukrainian soldiers.
Some Ukrainian military units received personal protective equipment valued at nearly $48,5 millions as a result criminal acts of the suspects.
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