Ukraine's MFA chief calls on Europe to ban ammo export to countries other than Ukraine
Category
Ukraine
Publication date

Ukraine's MFA chief calls on Europe to ban ammo export to countries other than Ukraine

Dmytro Kuleba
Source:  RND

Regarding the acute shortage of ammunition in the Ukrainian army, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, called for a ban on the export of ammunition from European countries to countries other than Ukraine.

Kuleba called on Europe to transfer all shells to Ukraine

All contracts for the export of ammunition produced in Europe to third countries should be suspended, and all such ammunition should be supplied to Ukraine, Kuleba said.

Dmytro Kuleba

Dmytro Kuleba

Ukraine's MFA chief

According to him, "every bullet manufactured in Europe" should serve to protect European countries.

He also criticised the Western allies for their lack of ammunition. The minister noted that he complains about the laammonition at every meeting with partners.

They have decided too late to increase their production, sign long-term contracts and put new production lines into operation. Unfortunately, we are paying the price for these mistakes not down the line, but right now, Kuleba said.

The MFA chief announced that the ammunition purchased by European states in third countries will become available to Ukraine.

What is known about shells in Ukraine?

At the end of January 2024, Bloomberg wrote that the European Union could not provide the promised million shells to Ukraine by the previously agreed deadline of March 1, 2024.

At this time, the EU countries will have only 600,000 rounds. According to the European Commissioner for Finance, Johannes Hahn, the EU will be able to produce up to two million artillery shells for Ukraine annually from 2025.

In March 2023, the EU MOD and MFA ministers agreed on a plan for joint ammunition procurement.

It envisages providing Ukraine with one million shells over the next 12 months. In particular, it was about seven countries. But already in November, the EU informed its members that it is unlikely to be able to transfer the promised one million artillery rounds to Ukraine. This plan should be completed by March 2024.

At the same time, at the end of November, the European Commissioner for the EU internal market, Thierry Breton, citing statistical data, stated that by the spring of 2024, the production potential of defense enterprises in the EU will amount to more than a million artillery shells. But the transfer of ammunition to Ukraine requires an appropriate solution, which does not exist yet.

On February 23, the Office of the President of Ukraine announced that funding for the supply of shells, which Petr Pavel spoke about, would be found.

On February 24, Kuleba announced that the European Union plans to deliver almost 170,000 artillery rounds to Ukraine by the end of March and is working on further increasing the volume of supplies.

Category
Ukraine
Publication date

The SSU detained the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. What is the reason?

Security Service of Ukraine (SSU)
SSU detained the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The SSU military counterintelligence, in cooperation with law enforcement officers, detained the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces, who, since the beginning of the large-scale war unleashed by Russia, has enriched himself by over $1 million and purchased real estate in Kyiv and Odessa.

Points of attention

  • The chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was detained by the SSU for illicit enrichment exceeding $1 million and concealing assets through undeclared property.
  • The official purchased multiple properties, luxury cars, and other assets between 2022-2024, not reflected in his declaration.
  • The detainee, who also headed the psychiatric clinic of a military hospital, faces up to 10 years in prison under Ukrainian law for illegal enrichment and false declaration of information.
  • Law enforcement agencies are preparing a notice of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code, aiming at imposing preventive measures and asset arrest.
  • The investigation revealed that the official enriched himself significantly during the war, acquiring over $1 million in assets and concealing them through third parties.

What is known about the detention of the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The SSU press center noted that with the support of the head of the Ministry of Defense and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces was detained.

He also held the position of deputy head of the Central VLK and decided on issues regarding the suitability of military personnel for service.

Investigators established that the official had become seriously enriched during the war.

He acquired unfounded assets worth over $1 million. At the same time, the defendant did not reflect the relevant property in his declaration and registered it in the name of his wife, daughter, sons and other third parties, the SBU explains.

What is known about the illegal enrichment of the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine?

The department emphasized that between 2022 and 2024, the official purchased a private house and two land plots in the Obukhiv district of the Kyiv region, two more apartments in the capital, and an apartment in Odessa.

In addition, he purchased 4 luxury cars: BMW X7 (2024 model), BMW X7 and BMW X3 (both 2022 model), and BMW X5 (2023 model).

Other undisclosed property was also found on him.

During the searches, investigators found 152 thousand dollars and 34 thousand euros on him.

Currently, a notice of suspicion is being prepared for the defendant under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Article 368-5 (illegal enrichment); Article 366-2 (declaration of false information).

The issue of choosing a preventive measure and imposing an arrest on the official's assets is being decided. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

At the same time, the Prosecutor General's Office added that the detainee was also the head of the psychiatric clinic of the National Military Medical Clinical Center "Main Military Clinical Hospital". Among the assets is a private house with an area of 285.2 sq. m.

By staying online, you consent to the use of cookies files, which help us make your stay here even better 

Based on your browser and language settings, you might prefer the English version of our website. Would you like to switch?