The Ukrainian government has taken legal action against at least two Western military firms that have failed to fulfill equipment contracts, or offer a refund of fees paid by Kyiv to secure the deals,The country's Defense Ministry has been grappling with a series of procurement scandals as its troops continue their fight against a full-scale Russian invasion.
Six foreign companies—two of which are American—"did not fully or partially fulfill their obligations under some of their contracts, but made a partial delivery or fully returned the funds," the ministry said. A Ukrainian artilleryman carries a 155mm shell to a M777 howitzer near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region on June 23, 2023. Ukraine has become reliant on Western weapons systems in its defensive war against Russia.Two European companies"did not deliver the goods and did not return the advance payment," the ministry added, noting that legal actions are being taken against the two delinquent suppliers.
The ministry declined to name the companies or give information about the contracts they had agreed with Ukraine, citing the protection of sensitive military information under martial law. The dissemination of such information, it said,"may cause difficulties for foreign suppliers in fulfilling their obligations, such as concluding agreements with manufacturers and other participants for the purchase of arms and military equipment in countries with a neutral attitude regarding the supply of arms to Ukraine."to meet its commitments.