Investigation into possible abuse by Ministry of Defense in procurement of food for military began even before media reports

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau reported about this on Facebook.

"In view of high-profile publications in mass media about possible abuses by the Ministry of Defense in procurement of food for the military, we inform you that information presented is known to NACB and Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecution. Allegations are being investigated within the framework of criminal proceedings initiated at our own initiative, before it is made public by the media," the statement said.

Investigators are probing into purchases worth more than UAH 13 billion.  Preliminary legal qualification - Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, investigation is ongoing.

• Information that the Ministry of Defense purchases food for the military at prices significantly higher than at retail stores in Kyiv was published on January 21 by Zn.Ua online newspaper with reference to the contract of Ministry of Defense on the purchase of products.

• After that, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence summoned the leadership of the Ministry of Defense to its meeting.

• The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine dismissed the accusations of purchasing food for the army at inflated prices as a deliberate manipulation. Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov also reacted to accusations of procuring food for the army at inflated prices.