The Defense Ministry is accused of purchasing low-quality domestic 120mm mines.

The Ministry of Defense has contracted at least 100,000 substandard 120-mm mines of Ukrainian production.

This was reported by "Mirror of the Week".

Journalists state that at the beginning of 2024, the Defense Procurement Agency signed a "large" contract for the supply of 120-mm mines with one of the factories of "Ukroboronprom". The Main Department of Technical Evaluation allegedly warned the agency about potential risks in the supplies, but this information was later removed.

Among these risks were, in particular, the lack of established serial production of the M-12 fuse, which is responsible for detonating the munitions upon impact. Additionally, there were concerns about the supply of components for the mines and the training of qualified personnel.

Eventually, when the manufactured shells reached the front lines, servicemen began to complain about the quality of these mines. In particular, the mines deviated from the aim point, did not exit the barrel, or failed to detonate upon impact.

According to the publication, the Ministry of Defense convened a meeting regarding the substandard mines on November 21. However, the head of the agency, Rustem Umerov, was not present at the meeting, and his position was taken by acting Minister Ivan Havryliuk, Umerov's first deputy.

Five days later, the agency publicly announced an investigation into the substandard munitions. The Ministry of Defense claims that the investigation has been ongoing for the third week. During this time, a batch of mines was withdrawn, and they promise to replace them with imported mines.

"The most popular weapon of this war – the 120-mm mine – will now be available to the military only in a month or two, and even then it will be imported, meaning not anytime soon," commented journalist Yuriy Nikolov from "Mirror of the Week".

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that Ukraine has already received a third of the munitions under the Czech initiative. Vasyl Zvarych noted that the Ukrainian side is negotiating with the Czech Republic to expand the initiative.