Ukraine's MoD purchased jackets for the Armed Forces at three times the cost – investigation
Clothing from this batch has already been spotted on OLX
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine bought jackets for the Armed Forces at three times their price, according to an investigation by ZN.ua.
Journalists discovered that the department acquired 4,900 jackets, totalling $142,000, from a Turkish producer. However, later in the documents, the cost is increased to $421,000, with the camouflage jackets listed as winter windproof jackets. Consequently, the price per jacket rose from $29 to $86.
Furthermore, the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise determined that the delivered jackets and trousers couldn't be used for their intended purpose. Alongside this, winter clothing that was transported to Ukraine under a different agreement cost $27,500 per batch in Moldova, but in Ukraine, it cost $367,500.
Moreover, journalists also noticed clothing from this batch being sold on the OLX marketplace.
"For the record, the security forces also know that the Ministry of Defence overpaid threefold for helmets for the soldiers. Reznikov's people ordered and paid for goods, which according to the documents were PASGT helmets made in the USA with a protection level of NIJ IIIA. In reality, these turned out to be helmets with a lower protection level of NIJ 2," the publication added.
The report also mentions that the Ministry ordered 1 million vegetarian ration packs from Turkey via a Kyiv company, TOV Tanos Technology, for 430 million UAH. However, the food warmer that was supposed to be included in the ration disappeared, replaced by chicken pâté.
Journalists assert that there is still no information about this contract in ProZorro, although they have a document dated 8 July 2022.
Background. Earlier, Mind reported that the Ministry of Defence gave Lviv Arsenal 1.4 billion UAH for mines but didn't receive any. The company has long overdue on the contract, even though almost 100% of the payment was made in November.
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