The investigation into the supply of defective products for the Armed Forces of Ukraine is gaining momentum: the court has imposed a preventive measure on the deputy head of a defense plant in Dnipropetrovsk region
The first deputy general director of one of the leading defense enterprises located in Dnipropetrovsk region has come under close scrutiny by law enforcement agencies due to suspicion of involvement in a large-scale corruption scheme related to the supply of defective mortar shells to Ukrainian military units. On May 1, the court decided to impose a preventive measure in the form of detention without bail for Oleksiy Kyrychenko until June 27. This means he will remain behind bars during the public proceedings for nearly two more months until further investigations and court sessions take place. The hearing was held in an open format, allowing for a detailed hearing of both sides’ positions. The prosecution emphasized that the suspect may be connected to a crime that caused significant damage to the state’s defense interests. Kyrychenko’s lawyer, Oleksandr Shcherbin, filed a motion to recuse the judge, suspecting improper automatic case assignment and potential bias of the judge. According to him, during the automated distribution, not all judges were involved; some, including those supposed to be part of specialized panels, were excluded from the distribution, raising concerns about impartiality. The lawyer indicated that these circumstances could indicate bias and facilitation of a prosecutorial approach. He also stated that the defense intends to appeal all previous court decisions in this case. A direct quote from the defense: “I believe that such actions indicate a clear demonstration of bias and potential preparation for an unjust decision. Given the gross violations during the automatic case distribution, there is a likelihood that any court decision will be unjust. Therefore, I request that the recusal motion be granted and that the case be heard by another judge to ensure a fair trial.” Prosecutors opposed the recusal motion, arguing that the grounds for such a procedure are unsubstantiated and that the case should be considered according to proper procedures. The court decided not to grant the defense’s recusal application, instead continuing the hearing in a closed session to ensure security and confidentiality of the investigation. As a result, a preventive measure in the form of detention without bail was imposed until the end of June this year. Regarding the details of this high-profile case, it is not the first recent scandal involving abuse in the defense industry. On the eve, law enforcement detained the management team of a Dnipropetrovsk defense plant, which, according to preliminary investigation, violated manufacturing processes and quality standards during the production and supply of ammunition, leading to the mass shipment of defective mortar shells to Ukrainian military units. Sources reported that over 120,000 dangerous mortar shells violating state standards were found recently, posing a serious threat to soldiers’ lives. Consequently, on April 29, law enforcement officers detained the plant’s management and those directly responsible for quality control and production oversight. The following day, April 30, the Kyiv Shevchenkivskyi District Court ordered the arrest of Mikhail Shkurенко, a former head of a military representation at the Ministry of Defense, and Yuriy Yarets, a quality control group leader, suspected of organizing a large-scale scheme for manufacturing and supplying dangerous mortar shells. According to investigators, these individuals acted in conspiracy with enterprises, violating technological processes and allowing the use of materials that did not meet standards, leaving Ukrainian troops with military equipment that not only failed to perform its functions but could also lead to tragedy during combat. This case has already caused widespread public resonance and raised questions about transparency and integrity in the defense sector, as well as about the level of oversight over state defense orders. Intervention by law enforcement and the judicial system send a message that combating corruption and misuse in the defense industry remains a priority for the state. The investigation is ongoing, and society awaits further punishment for those responsible for causing a devastating blow to Ukraine’s defense capabilities and its right to self-defense.