Former Defense Ministry Director Accused of Buying 250 Defective Mortars for $4.9 Million in SBU Probe

Corruption Scheme Uncovered in Ukraine’s Defense Procurement

According to Главком: Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has exposed a former director of the Defense Ministry’s Department of Military-Technical Policy, Armament, and Military Equipment Development. The ex-official is linked to a 2023 purchase of 250 faulty 120mm mortars for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, costing 182 million hryvnias (approximately $4.9 million). The mortars failed to meet the manufacturer’s stated specifications, raising serious concerns about their combat readiness.

The suspect signed a contract with an unverified foreign company to produce the artillery weapons. Ultimately, the contractors delivered unusable equipment that cannot be deployed in combat. Budget funds were transferred to the manufacturer’s account, pointing to abuse of office. A forensic engineering examination confirmed the criminal activity of the former official.

Law Enforcement Response

Investigators from the SBU’s Main Investigation Department have charged him under Article 364, Part 2 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which covers abuse of power or position leading to severe consequences. He faces up to six years in prison. All defective artillery pieces have been removed from Ukrainian Armed Forces units, highlighting the serious impact on national defense capabilities.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, the SBU also uncovered organizers behind a scheme to supply defective mortar shells to the front lines. As part of that investigation, defense plant director Leonid Shyman and his deputy Oleksiy Kyrychenko were detained for delivering a batch of faulty mines to the military.

“Supplying substandard weapons harmed the combat capability of Ukrainian troops. In particular, using defective mortars endangered the lives and health of artillery crews on the front lines,” law enforcement officials stated.

This case underscores the critical need for quality control in weapons supplied to Ukrainian forces, especially during active hostilities. Poor-quality mortars can seriously threaten soldier safety and undermine overall defense efforts.

Incidents like this highlight the importance of holding officials accountable for procurement abuses. In response, law enforcement agencies continue to aggressively investigate similar cases to maintain the country’s defense readiness.

The recent investigation into the purchase of defective mortars is part of a broader pattern of corruption in Ukraine's defense sector. Similar concerns have arisen regarding the alleged misappropriation of funds in drone procurement, where authorities are probing the theft of 7 billion UAH. This ongoing scrutiny highlights the urgent need for transparency and accountability in military contracts, which are critical to national security. For more details on this related case, see the investigation into drone procurement irregularities.