Ukraine’s defense ministry announced the initiation of an investigation into the use of defective mortar shells against Russian forces, following a burgeoning scandal that has raised serious concerns about military equipment quality. The ministry has temporarily halted the deployment of these shells amidst mounting pressure and scrutiny, with over 100,000 Ukrainian-made 120-millimeter shells reported to have been removed from the front lines, as cited by the Ukrainian news outlet Dzerkalo Tyjnia.
This revelation comes at a critically challenging time for Ukrainian forces, who are heavily engaged in combat with larger and better-armed Russian units in the eastern regions of the country. The situation has prompted war journalist Yuriy Butusov to label the issues surrounding the shells as a case of “criminal negligence.”
Reports of malfunctions with the shells first surfaced in early November, when soldiers voiced their worries about rounds failing to detonate, becoming stuck in mortars, or veering off target entirely. Affected troops brought these issues to light through various media channels, revealing a distressing picture of equipment reliability in a high-stakes conflict.
In response to these alarming reports, the defense ministry published a statement declaring that the use of the deficient mortar shells on the front lines has been suspended, and a portion of the existing supply has been confiscated for examination. The ministry stressed that the distribution of these shells to combat units would remain on hold until a thorough investigation could identify the underlying causes of these malfunctions. To mitigate the impact on frontline operations, the ministry indicated that defective ammunition would be replaced with imported alternatives.
Authorities have been conducting an investigation into incidents of “abnormal firing” for approximately two weeks, although they have classified further details as “sensitive” due to the ongoing wartime context. Initial findings suggest that poor-quality powder charges or mishandling during storage might be contributing factors to the shells’ failures.
Since the onset of the Russian invasion nearly three years ago, Ukraine has significantly increased its domestic munitions production in a bid to bolster its military capabilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted this effort last week in a parliamentary address, stating that Ukraine has manufactured over 2.5 million mortar and artillery shells, spanning calibers from 60 to 155 millimeters. He affirmed the commitment to ramping up this production further as the country continues to navigate the complexities and challenges of wartime logistics and supply.
