After public outcry, the National Guard in Sumy Region canceled a €648,000 procurement of riot shields

The National Guard in Sumy Oblast announced plans to purchase anti-riot shields for dispersing demonstrators.

The expected cost of the deal was 30,750,000 hryvnias (about $770,000 USD).

Information about the procurement appeared on the government procurement platform Prozorro.

The tender was posted five days ago and was initiated by military unit No. 2276, which belongs to the National Guard.

The procurement classification section listed the item as “equipment for dispersing demonstrators.”

It’s worth noting that the Russian army is currently actively advancing in Sumy Oblast, and the distance between Russian forward units and the regional capital is now approximately 20 kilometers.

After public outcry on social media and accusations of misusing state funds during wartime — including criticism from members of parliament — the National Guard in Sumy announced that the tender would be canceled, issuing a statement on social media.

“The National Guard will not be purchasing equipment for public order policing. The tender for the relevant procurement has been canceled,” the message said.