The Attorney General Ruslan Kravchenko reported another episode of abuse in the field of public procurement. This time — in the defense sector.

Prosecutors from the Office of the Attorney General, together with investigators from the Main Investigative Department of the Security Service of Ukraine, have notified a former official of the Ministry of Defense and the head of a private company of suspicion of committing criminal offenses under Articles 28 part 2, 114-1 part 2, and 191 part 5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, regarding the supply of oversized rifles that were not fully equipped, resulting in losses amounting to 33,412,770 UAH. Operational support is provided by the Main Department of the Security Service of Ukraine.

The investigation established that in March 2022, a state contract was concluded between the Ministry of Defense, represented by the director of the department, and the general director of the private company for the supply (purchase) of large-caliber rifles for the amount of 363,607,836 UAH.

In a letter from the acting director of the same department of the Ministry of Defense, sent in May 2023 to the private supplier, it was stated that the department does not object to the supply of rifles that are not fully equipped.

At the same time, no additional agreement regarding a price reduction was concluded.

According to the conclusion of the judicial economic examination, due to the non-supply of the component product, losses were established in the amount of 33,412,770 UAH.

Meanwhile, in order to establish the technical and quality characteristics of the supplied large-caliber rifles, a judicial examination of the weapons is currently ongoing.

After its completion, a judicial commodity and judicial economic examination will be appointed.

“This is fundamental: the defense sector is a zone of special attention for the prosecution. Any abuse on blood will receive a legal response. We will evaluate not slogans — but actions, facts, and consequences,” emphasized Ruslan Kravchenko.