Ukraine's Defense Ministry returns almost $10.5 mln in court for poor-quality bulletproof vests and helmets

This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. 

It is reported that at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, the Ministry of Defence purchased bulletproof vests and helmets for the Armed Forces from a foreign supplier. The first batches supplied to Ukraine in the spring and summer of 2022 were of high quality. However, the goods that arrived in the autumn and winter of 2022 did not pass ballistic tests, so the Ministry of Defence did not accept them. 

The ministry demanded a refund for the batches of helmets and bulletproof vests of inadequate quality. In addition, the supplier was required to pay penalties. The supplier refused to comply. 

"The Legal Service of the Ministry of Defence filed a lawsuit in an international arbitration court to recover the cost of the undelivered bulletproof vests and helmets, penalties and interest per annum. According to the arbitration award, annual interest continues to accrue on the value of the undelivered goods until the money is returned," the statement said. 

In total, the supplier has to return approximately EUR 10 million to Ukraine

• Earlier, the former acting director of the State Procurement Department and the Deputy Minister of Defense, who organized the purchase of low-quality bulletproof vests from abroad for almost 7 million dollars, were served with a notice of suspicion.