Former official suspected due to combat-unfit mortars and UAH 182 million in damages - Prosecutor General
Kyiv • UNN
A former high-ranking official has been notified of suspicion of abuse of office for purchasing 250 combat-unfit mortars. The state transferred an advance of UAH 182 million to suppliers, but the weapons did not meet the stated specifications.
A former high-ranking official has been notified of suspicion of abuse of office due to mortars unfit for combat and UAH 182 million in damages, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported on Wednesday on social media, writes UNN.
Details
"During war, there is only one requirement for weapons: they must work. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine entered into a contract to supply the Armed Forces of Ukraine with 250 units of 120-mm mortars of foreign manufacture. The state transferred an advance payment of over UAH 182 million to the suppliers. However, after delivery, it turned out that this weaponry was unfit for use," Kravchenko wrote.
According to the Prosecutor General, comprehensive forensic examinations, as well as the results of using the mortars in combat conditions, confirmed their non-compliance with the stated characteristics. "After attempts to eliminate the shortcomings, the situation did not change. The mortars did not ensure firing accuracy, quickly failed, and the military called them 'paper' because in fact they could not fulfill their purpose," he stated.
According to the investigation, "this became possible due to the actions of the official responsible for organizing the procurement," the Prosecutor General reported.
"It has been established that during the conclusion of the state contract, he did not ensure proper quality control of the products and did not provide for mandatory testing of the tactical and technical characteristics of the mortars. In fact, the weapons were purchased without confirmation that they meet the tactical and technical characteristics of foreign-made mortars," he noted.
The former high-ranking official has been notified of suspicion of abuse of office, which caused grave consequences. The issue of choosing a preventive measure is being decided
"This case is not only about financial losses. When the military receives unusable weapons instead of serviceable ones, it is a loss of time, opportunities, and a risk to the lives of Ukrainian soldiers," the Prosecutor General emphasized. "In war, the state has no right to make mistakes in matters concerning the supply of the army. And every official will be held accountable for their decisions, due to which Ukrainian soldiers were left without proper weapons. We continue to work."