In the case of embezzlement of more than UAH 90 million for the purchase of unusable anti-tank missile systems (ATGM), suspicions have been announced against a former Defense Ministry official and former heads of a defense enterprise.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported this.
Theft of UAH 90 million for the purchase of anti-tank weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
— The Office of the Prosecutor General is carrying out procedural management of the pre-trial investigation in the case on the fact of the delivery of unusable anti-tank missile launchers to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for the amount of more than UAH 90 million. In fact, the damage to the state was inflicted in the same amount, — he specified.
Now watching
According to him, the involvement of the former head of one of the departments of the Ministry of Defense, who was the organizer of the deal, the former head of the contractor company and his deputy in this crime has been established.
The SBU reported that the said weapons play a key role in the destruction of armored groups of occupation forces that are trying to break through the defensive positions of Ukrainian troops.
During the investigation, it was established that the Ministry of Defense official, while in office during 2022-2023, signed a contract for the supply of anti-tank weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to which the capital's defense company was to supply the ATGM.
— However, instead of modern weapons, the contractors supplied customers with anti-tank systems unsuitable for use as intended, and the budget funds received were put into the shadows. The findings of an independent examination initiated by the SBU confirmed the faulty tactical and technical condition of the ATGMs, — the report says.
Photo: SBU
Based on the evidence collected, the defendants were charged under three articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Part 2 of Article 114-1 (obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations, which led to serious consequences);
- Part 5 of Article 191 (appropriation, embezzlement or taking possession of property through abuse of official position);
- Part 2 of Article 366 (official forgery resulting in grave consequences).
The suspects face up to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.
