SSU exposes scheme of embezzlement of UAH 1.5 billion for procurement of artillery shells for the army. Court chooses a measure of restraint for suspect
The Security Service and the Ministry of Defence exposed an attempt to embezzle UAH 1.5 billion for the purchase of artillery shells for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The court imposed on the suspect a measure of restraint in the form of detention until February 19.
On December 22, the SSU reported that it had exposed the head of one of the Defence Ministry's main directorates in a corruption scheme. According to the investigation, in December 2022, he signed an agreement with a special export company to purchase a wholesale batch of artillery shells. However, the company did not receive any budget money because the army did not receive the products.
Then the newly created Defence Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defence signed a new contract for the supply of these shells with the special exporter, but on much more favourable terms — lower cost and shorter delivery time. This contract did not provide for the purchase of ammunition without intermediaries.
However, the official unreasonably extended the previous contract. As a result, almost UAH 1.5 billion was transferred to the accounts of an affiliated foreign intermediary firm, which was UAH 130 million more than the cost of the products under a direct contract with the manufacturer.
On December 23, the Court imposed a pre-trial restraint on one of the heads of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defence — detention without bail until February 19.
