The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense disclosed that it had discovered an attempt by some officials to purchase artillery projectiles at exorbitant prices.
The revelations followed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov’s pledge to eradicate military corruption.
The ministry stated in a statement that one official was detained and others were terminated from their positions as a consequence of the investigation.
A joint investigation carried out by the General Prosecutor’s Office and the State Security Service revealed that a cohort of officials, under the direction of the department chief for ammunition production, accepted payment in excess of the stipulated amount on a contract for artillery shells.
A newly established agency for military procurement, according to a statement on the Ministry’s website, has signed a revised contract that stipulates substantially reduced prices.
However, the projectiles were paid for in accordance with prior agreements drafted by the officials under investigation, which resulted in a $40 million overpayment of 1.5 billion hryvnia.
Early in September, following the ousting of his predecessor Oleksii Reznikov on charges of corruption in military procurement by subordinates under his supervision, Umerov was appointed defense minister.
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