2025-04-30T04:21:05Z

---

Ukraine's internal security bureau made headlines on Tuesday as it announced the arrest of four individuals linked to a scandal involving the supply of 120,000 defective mortar shells to its frontline troops. This alarming revelation raises serious concerns regarding the manufacturing and quality control processes within Ukraines defense sector.

The Security Service of Ukraine, commonly referred to as the SBU, detailed the arrests in a statement posted on their official Telegram channel. Among those detained were a military official, a quality control inspector, and two executives from a defense manufacturing company. This operation stems from a thorough investigation prompted by reports of malfunctioning 120 mm mortar shells, which frontline units had been using.

Complaints about the mortar shells have been circulating for months, with Ukrainian media first highlighting the issue approximately six months ago. Soldiers voiced their frustrations, noting that only about one out of ten shells fired effectively, while many failed to detonate upon launch. A particularly striking video circulated in November featured a soldier lamenting the dismal performance of their equipment, which only compounded the urgency of the situation.

In light of these troubling reports, the SBU conducted inspections at a key defense plant located in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which includes the significant city of Dnipro. Their findings indicated that the four individuals in custody had colluded to provide these defective mortar shells to the military. The SBUs statement elaborated that the suspects had employed substandard materials and executed faulty workmanship during the production process. This negligence led to failures in the main charge primer, ultimately causing the entire propellant charge to perform unreliably.

While the SBU did not disclose the names of the arrested individuals, they highlighted that these officials had deliberately overlooked the defective ammunition's issues and had falsified records to conceal their misconduct. As a result, a staggering 120,000 unusable shells were delivered to the front lines, representing a significant risk to the safety of Ukrainian soldiers.

The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated, as artillery ammunition plays a vital role in Ukraine's ongoing defense strategy amid the protracted conflict with Russia. As the war has transitioned into a grueling battle of attrition, the Ukrainian military faces pressing challenges, including a dwindling pool of personnel available for draft. This has led to discussions about potentially lowering the age of conscription to include men as young as 18.

Furthermore, Ukraine is striving to secure a steady supply of ammunition, with support from European allies and the United States, who are working tirelessly to bolster Ukraine's defenses. In an effort to increase domestic production capabilities, Ukraine is expanding its local defense manufacturing sector, which has already made strides in producing millions of cutting-edge first-person view drones.

As the investigation unfolds and the nation's defense strategies evolve, the implications of this scandal could reverberate through the military hierarchy. If convicted, the four detainees face potential sentences of up to 15 years in prison, a significant consequence reflective of the seriousness of their alleged offenses.