The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating the misappropriation of funds through the financing of repairs for self-propelled artillery units (SAUs) that were provided to Ukraine as international aid.
This became known from a criminal case being reviewed by the bureau.
According to the investigation, in 2022, the Ministry of Defence signed several contracts for the repair of these SAUs. However, after their return from repair, Ukrainian military personnel discovered numerous technical malfunctions that made it impossible to use the units in combat operations.
In 2022, a contract was signed for the supply of 155-mm self-propelled artillery units. But these SAUs were eventually provided to Ukraine free of charge, as international technical assistance (possibly PzH 2000).
Later, in September 2022, a contract was signed for their repair. In fact, the work was performed by a foreign subcontractor.
In October 2022, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine signed another contract with a state enterprise for the maintenance of these SAUs. During the acceptance of the repaired SAUs, Ukrainian military personnel found serious technical problems that rendered them unfit for use on the front line.
In addition, investigators are clarifying the circumstances of the acquisition of spare parts worth 592 thousand euros, which could have been used for the repair of the SAUs, but the investigation was unable to determine their final destination. According to official documents, military units did not receive them.