The SBI has completed an investigation against the Former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine and his accomplices, who bought low-quality body armors for almost 2 billion hryvnias

The employees of the SBI in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine have completed the pre-trial investigation against the Former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the Acting Head of the Department of Public Procurement of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the official of the Central Department for Development and Support of Material Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The indictment was sent to the court.

In 2022, officials organized the purchase of low-quality body armors from a Bulgarian company for servicemen, which caused losses to the state in the amount of 1,7 billion hryvnias. At the same time, full prepayment was made and the procedure for monitoring the quality of goods was violated.

The purchased body armors did not meet state and military standards, which led to critical consequences in maintaining the country's defense capability, threatening the life and health of the personnel and untimely supply of personal protective equipment to military units.

The Former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the Acting Head of the Department of Public Procurement of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the employee of the Central Department for Development and Support of Material Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are accused of embezzlement of property through abuse of office by official and obstruction of the legitimate activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by a group of persons by prior conspiracy (Part 5 of Article 191, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanction of the Articles provides for imprisonment for up to 15 years.

Procedural guidance is provided by the Office of the Prosecutor General.