"Ukraine's
Defense Ministry on Sunday denied reports that it had significantly increased
food prices as part of a recent contract. It is the biggest corruption scandal
to engulf the armed forces since the start of the military operation. National media
reports on Saturday accused the ministry of signing a deal with prices
"two to three times" higher than current prices of staple foods.
Eggs, which cost
about 19 US dollar (18 euro) cents in the store, cost 46 US dollar (42 euro)
cents under the contract, and the ministry also signed contracts for potatoes
at more than twice the retail price, news website ZN.UA reported. The site said that
the value of the contract signed in 2023 will reach 13 billion. hryvnias, i.e. more than 350 million dollars (323 million euros) according to the current
exchange rate.
The Ministry of
Defense called these reports "false" and stated that it
"purchases the relevant products in accordance with the procedure
established by law." But the Ministry added that there would be an investigation
into how the information was shared, saying it was "undermining defense
interests at a sensitive time". The ministry said the signed contracts
were "under control" and announced it would launch an internal audit
on Monday and hold an emergency meeting with Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.
"If violations are detected in the activities of officials of the Ministry
of Defense, they will be prosecuted according to the applicable laws," the
ministry said.
Property
embezzlement is widespread in Ukraine.
In yet another
scandal over the weekend, the country's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU)
questioned a deputy minister suspected of embezzlement, the Infrastructure
Ministry said. Vasyl Lozynskis, who has been in office since May 2020,
"received ($400,000 or 369,000 euros) to facilitate the conclusion of
contracts for the purchase of equipment and generators at inflated
prices," NABU said. Ukraine's energy infrastructure lacks electricity
after Russian strikes."
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