SBU Raids on Ukrainian Armored Vehicles: Deputy Director Beaten Over Lowest-Cost Grenade Bid.

Raids at Ukrainian Armored Vehicles LLC

According to Espreso.tv: During a search operation at Ukrainian Armored Vehicles LLC, officers from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) allegedly assaulted the company's first deputy director, causing severe injuries including a concussion that required hospitalization. The firm condemned the actions, claiming the raid was part of a fabricated case aimed at pressuring Ukraine's largest private defense contractor and undermining national defense capabilities.

Procurement and Strategic Partnership

In February 2026, the state enterprise Defense Procurement Agency launched a tender for rocket-propelled anti-tank grenades. Around 20 suppliers submitted bids, including Ukrainian Armored Vehicles, which offered grenade launcher analogs such as:

• Bulspike-AT
• Bulspike-TB
• RPG-75M
• RTG68mm

By May 2026, the company had fulfilled the contract by delivering the products to the Defense Procurement Agency, though the grenade launchers had not yet undergone final acceptance. The firm stated that the agency twice requested price reductions to save budget funds, but instead of negotiating, SBU personnel allegedly resorted to violent intimidation tactics. In June 2026, Ukrainian Armored Vehicles completed all contractual obligations and demanded that the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine review the legal basis for the criminal case under prosecutorial oversight.

Separately, a strategic partnership agreement with the Czech company AviaNera Technologies was signed in Paris, highlighting the company's ongoing activity in the defense sector despite the challenging circumstances. This incident underscores growing tensions in Ukraine's defense procurement system, as private contractors face pressure from law enforcement while striving to fulfill contracts and expand international cooperation. Such events risk eroding trust in state institutions and could deter private sector participation in national defense efforts.