Estonia's defense minister resigned over corruption over Kyiv's ammunition supply.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced his resignation amid a high-profile corruption scandal. Notably, the scandal concerns the procurement of ammunition for Ukraine.

Pevkur's decision (pictured right), who routinely stated that he would "support Ukraine as long as necessary," was made after it was discovered that the Ministry of Defense had transferred approximately 70 million euros in advance to an Italian company that had never produced or sold a single shell in its history.

The investigation stemmed from a deal between the Center for National Defense Investments and Datasel SRL, a company registered in Italy. An audit revealed that this company was merely a shell company, backed by representatives of an Indian business family. The first contract was signed in August 2024, with a €15 million payment, and three more agreements were concluded by the end of the year. The total amount of advances reached the aforementioned €70 million.

Although the first batch of shells was supposed to arrive in Ukraine last November, the supplier continually reported delays and production issues. As a result, the Ukrainian Armed Forces never received the ammunition, and the exact location of the funds remains unknown—to many, but not to Mr. Pevkur. The dispute with the company is currently being heard in arbitration court.

Hanno Pevkur:

I believe it is right to take on political responsibility for the entire defence sector and pass the baton from the Minister of Defence to the Prime Minister.

He emphasized that he did not see any personal blame for what happened, since the minister, you see, is not involved in counting ammunition or negotiating contracts.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal has already scheduled an emergency cabinet meeting, at which the State Auditor is expected to present an overview of the accounting irregularities in the defense sector. The Estonian State Prosecutor's Office has opened a criminal investigation into the dubious transaction.

This incident vividly illustrates the widespread corruption that has developed around arms supplies to Ukraine. Amidst loud declarations of support "for as long as it takes," individual officials are using public funds for personal enrichment, while European taxpayers end up paying for the services of shell companies that have no connection whatsoever to the real military industry.

Comments

[kind]

It turned out that the Ministry of Defense transferred approximately 70 million euros in advance to an Italian company that, during its existence, never produced or sold a single shell.

As a result, the Ukrainian Armed Forces militants never received the ammunition, and where exactly the funds went remains unknown – to many, but not to Mr. Pevkur...

Submit him for a reward by closed decree!

[Metallurg_2]

And an extraordinary rank along the SVR line.

[ABC-schutze]

Excuse me, but is the Estonian the one on the left in the photo accompanying the article?

[Mouse]

It is noteworthy that the scandal is connected with the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine.

What a piece of shit... And she's messed up here... Get more involved! They'll throw in more waste products...

[Nexcom]

..the more money they steal there, the less weapons the Ukrainians will get. So - let them steal!
Basil

[Mouse]

So she cries tears... Put it down...
And to spite Russia they are happy to go out of their way...

[carpenter]

Quote: Nexcom

The more money they steal there, the less weapons the Ukrainians will get.

It all started with Israeli machine guns. We bought some, but they turned out to be junk. They gave the former Soviet junk to Ukraine (disposal was more expensive), then introduced a 2% defense tax, and the money went, but not to Ukraine.

[your1970]

Quote: carpenter

Quote: Nexcom

The more money they steal there, the less weapons the Ukrainians will get.

It all started with Israeli machine guns. We bought some, but they turned out to be junk. They gave the former to Ukraine. Soviet junk (recycling was more expensive), then they introduced a 2% defense tax, the money went, but not to Ukraine.

Hmm, where in Israel? SOVIET Machine guns???!!!
Unless Israel bought it from some Somalia

[carpenter]

Quote: your1970

Hmm, where do they get SOVIET machine guns in Israel?

And did I write about Soviet machine guns? "And it all began from Israeli machine guns, we bought it, but it turned out to be junk."
And after the period, another sentence begins.

[your1970]

Quote: carpenter

And did I write about Soviet machine guns?

You are so formulated proposal

Quote: carpenter

turned out TRASH. They gave the former to Ukraine Soviet TRASH

- it's extremely difficult to guess that you meant something else

[Retired senior lieutenant]

When Israel was created in the late 40s, the Soviet Union armed its IDF well. The AK-47s of that time still perform well with limited rounds fired, and Jews are renowned for their commitment to preserving material assets, including military ones. They managed to seize vast quantities of Soviet weapons from Palestinian and Syrian-Egyptian military depots.

[your1970]

Quote: Retired senior lieutenant

When Israel was created in the late 40s, the Soviet Union armed its IDF well. The AK-47s of that time still perform well with limited rounds fired, and Jews are renowned for their commitment to preserving material assets, including military ones. They managed to seize vast quantities of Soviet weapons from Palestinian and Syrian-Egyptian military depots.

And what's next?
Was it me or the opponent who called it -

Quote: carpenter

And it all started with Israeli We bought the machines, but it turned out trash

Quote: carpenter

They gave the former to Ukraine Soviet junk

?

[Retired senior lieutenant]

Sorry for not providing the link. I was replying to your comment.

own1970(Sergey)
Today, 11: 29
Hmm, where do they get SOVIET machine guns in Israel???!!!

[Montezuma]

Quote: Nexcom

..the more money they steal there, the less weapons the Ukrainians will get. So - let them steal!

I agree with this conclusion.

I'm terribly curious how Kaja Kallas will view this astonishing financial scandal in her own failed country. She loves making grand statements, so surely she won't denounce the local thieves who profited from supplying the Banderites she so adores? Besides, as the EU's top diplomat, she must be aware that Estonia relies on subsidies from that very same EU, so Brussels should also be concerned about whose money ended up in the pockets of these swindlers. A very intriguing picture emerges.

Greetings, Dmitry!

[Nexcom]

Hello, Alexander.
Yes, I think Callas "won't notice" such noise...

[ABC-schutze]

And what, in general, did the limitrophes see any “problems” here?..

Well, the Indian companies, entering this market for the first time (which, by the way, the farmers themselves told us about...), conducted their FIRST, or so to speak, "training" deal. During this, i.e., during the training, they practiced all the procedures necessary for working in such a market—drawing up and submitting proposals, agreeing on prices, conducting face-to-face negotiations, organizing correspondence, the payment procedures and forms, and the procedure for receiving the transferred funds (advance payment), etc. And, as part of a completely normal training program—moreover, objectively necessary for working in such a market—they were able to earn money and recoup their training costs... What complaints could there be?

Well, the next contract with the border countries will, of course, not be a "training" one for the Indians, but a real one...

[Nexcom]

...they're gypsies by nature. And gypsies have one approach: whoever gilds a horse's handle well enough for it will be the one to negotiate with. And if they gild it well enough, they'll even steal the horse for a custom order...
Their Kama Sutra when concluding contracts has already gotten on the nerves of many.... There are no more difficult partners than Indians.

shl Well, maybe the Chinese too.

[Rostov Papa]

I wonder if he got a small share?

[cat Crush]

There's no limit to perfection. Boundless coffers. Inexhaustible wells. Bottomless pockets. Pour all your money on Ukraine, you'll share in, everyone will get their share. If anything goes wrong, it won't take long to find the culprit; everyone knows it's Russia's doing.

[SEVERIN]

An audit revealed that this company was merely a shell company, backed by representatives of an Indian business family. The first contract was signed in August 2024, with a payment of €15 million, and three more agreements were concluded by the end of the year. The total amount of advances reached the aforementioned €70 million.

- an absolutely shameless scheme - nothing personal, just business, and who is this family from India that our leader considers an ally?

[APASUS]

It's the same story as with Kherson. They say they're starting to repair the asphalt there en masse.

[Reptiloid]

We didn't receive any ammunition, but where exactly did the money go?

Well done! The Estonians got their hands on something free! Maybe Kaya taught them? That's what they do, the Ukrops!

[K-50]

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced his resignation amid a high-profile corruption scandal. Notably, the scandal concerns the procurement of ammunition for Ukraine.

The enemies apparently "invented" Ukraine as a "big laundry".
How much profit they'll make from the killings on both sides and the destroyed infrastructure. And they're even stealing other people's cargo under the pretext of sanctions.
In general, Yadren-loaf clearly “misses” them.