With the assistance of the Minister of Defence, the SSU Military Counterintelligence has exposed the embezzlement of public funds by the former director of the Ministry of Defence’s Department of Military-Technical Policy for the Development of Armaments and Military Equipment. The official was involved in the procurement of defective 120-millimetre mortars for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2023, totalling UAH 182 million (USD 4.1 mln).

The investigation found that these were 250 120-millimetre mortars that failed to meet the manufacturer’s stated tactical and technical specifications.

The supply of these substandard weapons has undermined the defence capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The combat use of these mortars endangered the lives and health of Ukrainian artillery crews on the front line.

According to the investigation, whilst in office, the organiser of the scheme entered into a contract with an unverified foreign company to produce artillery weapons for the AFU.

However, instead of licensed products that met the stated technical standards, the contractors delivered faulty mortars to the depots of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.

At the same time, public funds were transferred to the manufacturer’s account.

An audit and a forensic engineering and mechanical examination, initiated by the Security Service, confirmed the former official’s crime.

SSU investigators have notified the detainee of suspicion under Article 364.2 of the CCU (abuse of power or official position resulting in serious consequences).

The suspect faces up to six years’ imprisonment. The investigation is ongoing.

All defective artillery munitions have now been removed from AFU units.

These operational and investigative actions were carried out under the procedural supervision of the Specialised Defence Prosecutor’s Office.