The war between Russia and Ukraine will complete three years next month in February.
This ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine is no less than a world war because, on one hand, Russia is apparently standing alone, while on the other hand, Ukraine is successfully surviving the war with the help of 27 European countries and America. Not only did it survive, it also liberated many states from the Russian army.
In this war of supremacy between the two countries, Ukraine has not only suffered losses, but Russia has also lost its wealth, fame and the lives of 90 percent of its soldiers. Amidst this fierce war, a big military scam has come to light in Ukraine.
Such information has come to light that senior officials of the Defense Ministry and the Army embezzled Rs 33 billion in the name of arms purchase.
Ukraine’s SBU security service said on Saturday that it has uncovered corruption worth about $40 million (about Rs 33 billion) in arms purchases by the country’s military.
The Defense Ministry of Ukraine has also confirmed that a major military scam has taken place in Ukraine amid the two-year-long war with Russia. After receiving information about this corruption, it has become a major issue in the country.
Army had to buy mortar shells, officers pressed the money
The SBU said the investigation “has exposed Defense Ministry officials and managers of arms supplier Lviv Arsenal, who stole about 1.5 billion hryvnia (Ukrainian currency) in the purchase of shells.”
According to the investigation, the scam involves “former and current high-ranking officials of the Defense Ministry and heads of affiliated companies” in the embezzlement. It said the embezzlement involved the purchase of 100,000 mortar shells for the Ukrainian army.
Money given 2 years ago, weapons not received yet
The SBU said a contract for the mortar shells had been signed with Lviv Arsenal through August 2022. This happened six months after the war started.
The payment was made in advance. Some funds were transferred abroad. But even after so much time, no weapons were provided to the army, the statement said.
Investigation revealed that the amount transferred from those accounts was also transferred to other foreign bank accounts.
Notice to five, one arrested
The statement said five persons have been served “suspicion notices”. It has top officials associated with both the Defense Ministry and arms suppliers.
It said a suspect had been detained while trying to cross the Ukrainian border.
Zelensky government is very strict on corruption in Ukraine
Let us tell you that Volodymyr Zelensky government in Ukraine has been very serious in the matter of corruption. Corruption within the military in Ukraine is a particularly sensitive issue because it takes place during a time of war, when Ukraine is fighting for its supremacy and is constantly asking 27 European countries for help.
In September last year, then Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov was fired in various corruption cases despite representing Ukraine in discussions with Western allies.
Although he was not personally accused of being involved in corruption, there were several cases of corruption under his leadership—including not providing adequate supplies of food to soldiers and not providing proper clothing for soldiers.