Ukrainian law enforcement authorities revealed the fact of embezzlement of immense budget resources for the acquisition of weapons for the military. The case concerns more than 33 million hryvnia spent on large caliber rifles.
A new, gigantic scandal in Ukraine. The safety Service of Ukraine, together with the Public Prosecutor's Office and military counterintelligence, worked out a group dealing with fraud of public funds utilized to acquisition arms for the military. The case concerns embezzlement of over 33 million hryvnia, which occurred during the acquisition of large-caliber rifles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine between March 2022 and May 2023.
According to investigative findings, the manager of 1 of the Departments of Defence and the head of a private transportation company was involved. However, their names are not given. In the spring of 2022, cheaters signed a contract for the transportation of 1125 pieces of WKM (multi-caliber device guns) for the needs of the army fighting the Russians. The equipment was delivered to the defence department, nevertheless not in the full configuration that was specified in the contract. The rifles were ‘naked’, i.e. without the equipment ordered, including modern sights and interchangeable barrels.
‘The authoritative typical of the Ministry of Defence has wrongly approved specified delivery. Moreover, it did not enter into an additional agreement with the contractor to reduce the cost of arms due to the deficiency of all components.’ – announces the authoritative message of the service.
Two fraudsters utilized the amount resulting from the difference between the value of the order and the actual delivery. They were arrested and charged with criminal charges. They are facing 15 years imprisonment and property confiscation. The case is developing – it is besides ongoing to test the conformity of the rifles supplied with tactical and method requirements. It turns out that they are not only devoid of additional fittings, but besides made from worse quality materials. There are many indications that more people active in criminal proceedings will be brought to justice.
OUR COMMENTS: A day without a fresh affair in Ukraine is simply a day lost.
