Vitaliy Shabunin, head of the Anti-Corruption Center (ACC), expressed his indignation at the actions of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, which, according to him, manipulates data on the use of 23 billion hryvnias for the purchase of ammunition. In his Telegram channel, he stated that the Ministry of Defense's explanation was a "refined deception."
Shabunin stated that the funds that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (at the request of the Minister of Defense Rustem Umyerov) withdrew from the contracts prepared by the AOZ were transferred to the State Border Service, which, according to him, overpays for ammunition.
"The border guards received this money 100% in advance, overpaying at least 90 million euros for 152-mm shells. The Ministry of Defense could justify itself by saying that Polish suppliers have better conditions, but this is not true. For example, AOZ contracts provide for only 50% advance payment, while border guards pay the full amount in advance. In addition, the terms of deliveries under the AOZ contracts were more profitable," said Shabunin.
Arguments of the Ministry of Defense: manipulation or reality?
The Ministry of Defense explained that the redirection of funds was caused by the risk of not using the AOZ budget by the end of the year. According to the ministry, as of the end of November, the AOZ accounts had 102 billion UAH, of which 45 billion UAH were unused obligations, and 57 billion UAH were funds that had to be paid for completed contracts.
Shabunin refuted these explanations, noting that most of these funds were reserved for the payment of already concluded contracts, and not free for redirection.
"On November 25, UAH 45 billion were deposited into the accounts of AOZ. The next day, the amount was reduced to UAH 23 billion due to payment under contracts. And the remaining UAH 57 billion are funds that the agency had to pay for supplies in December," he clarified.
Contracts of border guards: risks of overpayment
According to Shabunin, the State Border Service carries out purchases on less favorable terms than AOZ. On one purchase of 152-mm shells, according to the Central Committee, the overpayment amounts to about 90 million euros.
"These funds remained in the accounts of AOZ, as the agency paid suppliers no more than 50% in advance, completing the settlement only after delivery. Instead, the border guards pay Polish suppliers the full amount in advance," said the head of the CPK.
We will remind you that the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has started an investigation into the causes of the abnormal activation of 120 mm mortar mines that were supplied to the army.
