Ukraine accuses former defense officials of embezzling over $ 48 million

Ukraine has accused former Defense Ministry officials of embezzling nearly $48.5 million in the procurement of low-quality equipment for Ukrainian defenders, according to the Prosecutor General's Office. Prosecuting former high-ranking officials from the Defense Ministry underscores efforts to hold individuals accountable for corruption, especially in a sector as critical as national defense. Given the ongoing war with Russia, ensuring the integrity of military procurement is paramount for Ukraine'ssecurity. Three suspects—a former deputy minister of defense, the head of the Department of State Procurement and Supply of Material Resources of the defense agency, and the head of the Department of Development of Material Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine—are charged with embezzlement of property and obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations. The Ukrainian prosecutors have not disclosed the names of the suspects. The investigation found that during the martial law period, the individuals organized the procurement of low-quality bulletproof vests with funds allocated from the state budget. In 2022, the ministry and foreign companies signed contracts violating the prescribed procedures for purchasing personal protective equipment. The agency bought it at inflated prices with 100% prepayment. The officials accepted the personal protective equipment without inspection and transferred the low-quality products to the Armed Forces of Ukraine's military warehouses. According to the investigation, the equipment did not meet Ukraine's state and military standards or the technical requirements and could not protect Ukrainian soldiers. As a result of the suspects' criminal actions, some Ukrainian military units were ill-supplied with personal protective equipment worth nearly $48,5 million.

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