The incident that confused Ukraine: an irregularity appeared in military coats bought in Turkey

The investigative journalism program called Nashi Groshi, which was established in Ukraine to expose corruption of state and public officials, claimed that some officials in war-torn Ukraine earned significant income using their positions.

The research program found that military camouflage coats purchased by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense from Turkey are much cheaper to retail in Turkey. It turned out that the company selling the coats was connected to Ukrainian politics.

THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE COMPANY’S LAWYER

It was announced that among the partners of Vector Avia, which sells the coats, is Oleksandr Kasai, the nephew of Hennadii Kasaii, a deputy from the Servants of the People Party, founded by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The invoice made in Turkey indicated that $29 was paid for each coat.

While it was claimed that the jackets were bought for $86 each, it was also announced that the retail prices of these jackets in Turkey were sold at different prices such as $68, $55, and $39. The invoice prepared by the company in Turkey indicated that the jackets were sold for $29, while the invoice submitted by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine indicated that the jackets had been paid for $86.

Ukrainian officials stated on the invoice that they bought the coats for $89.

It was reported in Ukrainian media news that these jackets sold for $27 and were all sold out. The local press assessed that the jackets on sale might not be heavy enough and therefore might have been for sale, and might not be suitable for the Ukrainian climate.

The kyiv Scientific Research Institute also announced that the purchased jackets “cannot be used for their intended purpose.”

Retail prices for similar coats were found to be much cheaper.

Vitalii Shabunin, director of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, said: “If Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov had searched online for coats bought in Turkey, he would have bought them cheaper. Instead of giving $86, he would have given $50,” he said. “Instead, the ministry found the company of the nephew of a deputy from the Party of the Servants of the People and took double the amount from them. “Reznikov spent too much on the budget,” he claimed.

Shabunin also highlighted that with the extra money spent on coats he could buy 2,000 Mavic drones. The Ukrainian official reacted very harshly, saying: “Someone will profit from these coats, while others will die at the front because they don’t have drones.” On the other hand, it was pointed out that some taxes are exempt when purchased in bulk.