The case regarding the sale of substandard body armor vests to the Ukrainian Armed Forces at an inflated price has reached the court

The case concerning the supply of defective body armor vests to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, amounting to nearly six million hryvnias (approximately 150 500 euros), has been referred to court.

The Security Service of Ukraine has reported this development.

A large-scale embezzlement scheme involving state funds for the purchase of individual protective gear for the Ukrainian armed forces was uncovered in the Zakarpattia region by military counterintelligence of the Security Service in collaboration with the Bureau of Economic Security.

The organizers of the deal supplied 350 defective body armor vests to one of the military units in the region using budgetary funds. During testing, it was discovered that the acquired products did not meet the declared technical specifications for 4th-level protection and were dangerous for use in combat conditions. Consequently, the individuals involved prevented the fulfillment of a defense order worth almost six million hryvnias. The entire batch of substandard products was seized and returned to the manufacturing company to rectify the defects.

According to the investigation, the director of a local commercial entity was implicated in orchestrating the deal. It was revealed that the entrepreneur signed a contract with representatives from the regional military enlistment office for the wholesale supply of body armor vests to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, the cost was artificially inflated, and the quality did not meet the requirements of the state standard.

Based on the collected evidence, the director of the supplying enterprise has been informed of suspicion under two articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code:

• Part 5 of Article 191 (embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or seizure of property through abuse of official position).
• Part 1 of Article 209 (money laundering or legalization of property acquired by criminal means).

An indictment against the suspect has been sent to court. The investigation continues to hold accountable all individuals involved in the exposed scheme. The offenders could face up to 12 years in prison along with property confiscation.