Three defense ministers of Yanukovych's era received suspicions
"DPR employees have gathered evidence of illegal actions by three former Ministers of Defense of Ukraine during Viktor Yanukovych's era, which led to a decrease in combat readiness and combat capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as a significant weakening of the country's defense potential," the statement reads.
It is reported that from March 2010 to February 2014, neglecting the requirements of the Constitution and laws of Ukraine, and being aware of systemic threats from the Russian Federation, officials, instead of performing tasks to strengthen the country's defense potential, took measures to alienate military equipment and weapons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Thus, they contributed to weakening the country's defense and effectively assisted the Russian Federation. Under the orders of these officials, justified sale of combat-ready weapons and military equipment was carried out, including:
- hundreds of tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery systems;
- dozens of anti-aircraft missile systems;
- hundreds of tracked and wheeled vehicles;
- dozens of combat aircraft and helicopters;
- thousands of rockets;
- millions of units of small arms and ammunition of various calibers.
As stated by the DPR, the comprehensive procedural actions and military court examinations confirmed the unjustified management decisions made by each of the former defense ministers, and established a direct causal link between their actions and the negative consequences for the country's combat readiness and defense capability.
Three former defense ministers from Yanukovych's era have been notified of suspicion of treason (Part 1, Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). If the suspects do not appear upon summons, a decision will be made to choose a preventive measure in the form of detention and to declare them wanted.
The DPR does not disclose the names of the former officials, but it is known that during March 2010 to February 2014, the Ministers of Defense of Ukraine were: Mykhailo Yezhel (2010-2012), Dmytro Salamatin (February 2012-December 2012), and Pavlo Lebedev (2012-February 27, 2014).
