Searches at Ukrainian Armor: what SSU, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the DPA say

SSU and the Prosecutor General’s Office have confirmed searches at a defence company which, according to the investigation, supplied the state with substandard grenade launchers at an inflated price. Law enforcement has not named the manufacturer, but it was on suspicion of exactly this offence that the SSU carried out searches at Ukrainian Armor on 9 July. Yesterday the company announced the investigative actions and the beating of one of its employees.

Defender Media has compiled updates on the situation from law enforcement, the Defence Procurement Agency and the management of Ukrainian Armor.

How SBU and the prosecutor’s office comment on the searches

The SBU is examining a contract for 6,000 single-use RPG-75M anti-tank grenade launchers. Their manufacturer is the Czech company Zeveta Ammunition. The supplier (Ukrainian Armor) was to deliver new weapons manufactured in 2024–2026 for a total of UAH 637m.

“Before the contract was signed, the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine warned the state procurer that this type of weapon was of low effectiveness and proposed considering other models. Despite this, the contract was concluded, and the supplier received an advance payment of UAH 318.5m,” the statement reads.

The SSU adds that the Czech company had already attempted to supply Ukraine with the same grenade launchers in 2022–2023. However, the contract was terminated because old products were being passed off as new. At that time, the price of the grenade launchers was nine times lower than under the current contract.

In May 2026, the Logistics Forces Command received the first batch but did not accept it due to substandard quality. At the same time, Ukrainian Armor’s CEO Vladyslav Belbas says that if there were complaints about the products, the unit should have accepted the items and sent a notification calling for representatives in accordance with the contract.

The investigation states that the company supplied not new weapons but grenade launchers from the 1980s. Traces of oxidation were found on them, and under the labels – old markings in Czech. After the new labels were removed, it was noted that the parts had been manufactured in 1986–1988, the SSU writes.

Law enforcement also states that the participants in the scheme submitted forged documents and altered the markings on the products in order to conceal their condition and origin. A conspiracy between officials of the state procurer and the supplier company is also being examined.

In total, investigators carried out 13 searches at the offices of the DPA, the supplier company, and the homes of those involved. Criminal proceedings were opened under Part 1 of Article 114-1 – obstruction of the lawful activity of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a special period. The penalty under this article is 5-8 years’ imprisonment. State losses amount to UAH 318.5m, the sum of the advance payment made to the supplier, the SSU writes.

Ukrainian Armor states that the plant provided all quality certificates and certificates of origin for the grenade launchers, and that they were delivered to military units sealed. Official confirmations from the manufacturer have already been sent to the SSU and the prosecutor’s office.

Belbas also added that they did not have access to the goods, since they are transported by convoy directly to the military unit. Therefore, after May and the non-acceptance of the products, they sent requests to the DPA, the Logistics Forces Command, the SSU, and the prosecutor’s office to gain access to the grenade launchers and verify the stated facts, but received no response.

What is being said about the beating of the Ukrainian Armor manager

Law enforcement adds that “no physical violence was used against any individual” during the searches, and that no complaints were received from participants in the investigative actions. As evidence, they refer to video recordings of the searches.

At the same time, Ukrainian Armor stated that after the search, First Deputy Director Maksym Polyvianyi ended up in the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion. The company also provided Defender Media with his photo.

In a comment to Defender Media, CEO Vladyslav Belbas stated that the company has nothing against the investigations, is ready to cooperate, and has approached the SBU and the Prosecutor General’s Office regarding the provision of case materials.

However, it will take all lawful actions in response to the beating of the employee – in particular, filing a report with the police. The CEO also sent the editorial team video footage from the start of the search.

The company’s post also quotes Polyvianyi: “Three individuals forcibly took me to the toilet, threw me to the floor and began striking me on the head, torso and legs. They beat me, made threats and subjected me to degrading insults. The pain was so severe that I could not even lift my head, let alone comply with their demands.”

Explanation from the Defence Procurement Agency

Following the searches, the Defence Procurement Agency published its own explanation of the situation. It states that the contract for the grenade launchers was concluded with the participant who offered the most economically advantageous proposal. “Provided the goods meet the declared technical specifications, price is the key criterion for contracting,” the statement says.

At the same time, the DPA approached the military leadership for confirmation that these grenade launchers are equivalent to those required. It received no grounds for rejecting the proposal and concluding the contract with other participants.

Regarding the payment of the advance, the DPA calls this standard practice. At the same time, if the goods are not accepted by the AFU support service, the supplier receives a claim for the return of the advance funds. Ukrainian Armor stated that it had not received such a claim.