The SBU carried out searches at ‘Ukrainian Armoured Vehicles’: the company reported that a senior manager had been beaten

This has been reported by Forbes Ukraine. 

Ukrainian Armoured Vehicles reported that on 9 July, SBU officers carried out a search at the home of the company’s first deputy director. According to the company, during the search, the official was “brutally beaten”, after which he sustained numerous injuries and a concussion and was hospitalised.

The company described the search as unlawful and claimed that the case allegedly bears the hallmarks of pressure being exerted on one of the largest private manufacturers and suppliers of armaments to the Ukrainian army. However, at the time of publication, the SBU had not issued an official statement regarding these claims. ‘Ukrainska Pravda’ reported that it had contacted the Security Service for comment.

Which grenade launchers are at the heart of the case?

According to “Ukrainian Armoured Vehicles”, the criminal proceedings relate to a contract for the supply of single-use rocket-propelled anti-tank grenade launchers. The procurement was announced in February 2026 by the Defence Procurement Agency on the basis of a priority requirement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the company, around 20 suppliers took part in the tender process. “Ukrainian Armoured Vehicles” offered several variants of the RPG-18, RPG-22 or RPG-26 grenade launchers, including the Bulspike-AT, Bulspike-TB, RPG-75M and RTG68mm. Ultimately, according to the company, the customer selected the RPG-75M grenade launchers manufactured by the Czech firm Zeveta Ammunition.

What “Ukrainian Armoured Vehicles” says about the contract

The company states that, following negotiations with the manufacturer, the price was reduced twice to ensure budget savings. In May 2026, the products were handed over to the consignee designated by the Defence Procurement Agency, and in June, according to the company, the contract was fully fulfilled.

At the same time, the company’s statement notes that the grenade launchers have not yet been finally accepted by the Defence Procurement Agency, but the company has not received any official complaints regarding product quality. It is precisely this that “Ukrainian Armoured Vehicles” cites as one of the key arguments against the investigation’s allegations.

What the company accuses the investigation of

‘Ukrainian Armoured Vehicles’ claims that the SBU is ‘falsifying information about the grenade launchers’ and organising expert assessments designed to prove that the delivered products are allegedly defective. The company also states that the investigators are not involving the manufacturer itself — the Czech company Zeveta Ammunition — in the quality assessment.

The company has called on the Office of the Prosecutor General to examine the grounds for opening the criminal proceedings and the actions of SBU staff regarding possible physical pressure on employees of the defence company.

‘Ukrainian Armoured Vehicles’ is one of the largest private players in Ukraine’s defence industry. The company manufactures the ‘Varta’ and ‘Novator’ armoured vehicles, mortars, ammunition, unmanned systems and other military-grade products, and also supplies weapons and equipment to the Defence Forces.

Forbes Ukraine previously reported that, following a sharp rise in revenue in 2024, “Ukrainian Armoured Vehicles” became the largest private player in the defence industry market. According to the publication, the company also supplies chassis for the ‘Bogdan’ self-propelled gun and acts as a contractor for the ‘Luch’ Design Bureau in the production of vehicles and equipment for the ‘Neptune’ and ‘Vilha’ systems.

At present, information regarding the assault on a senior manager, the alleged fabrication of the case and the absence of complaints is based on a statement by “Ukrainian Armoured Vehicles” itself. There is as yet no publicly available official position from the SBU or any procedural documents detailing the investigation’s allegations.

Follow us on Telegram.