Supply of Poor-Quality Mines for the Armed Forces of Ukraine: The Head of the Ministry of Strategic Industries Explained the Reason.

The Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, Herman Smetanin, reported that the use of unexpected explosions of 120 and 82 millimeter caliber mines is related to the change in the quality of imported gunpowder. He noted that Ukraine continues to depend on imported gunpowder.

Spherical powders used since 1985 by NATO member countries for the production of 81 and 120-millimeter mines were used to create metal charges. However, during operation, the gunpowder changed its properties and began to explode unpredictably

According to the minister, these conclusions were made by a commission that included representatives of the Ministry of Strategic Industries, the Ministry of Defense, the manufacturing plant, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Security Service of Ukraine, which analyzed the situation at the enterprise.

According to reports received from military units of the Defense Forces, 417 cases of unexpected explosions of 120 millimeter mines were recorded. In total, out of millions of mines, only 417 exploded incorrectly

The Armed Forces of Ukraine received a poor-quality batch of 120 mm caliber mines that were produced at an enterprise of Ukroboronprom. In connection with this, the Bureau of Investigations opened a criminal case. The Ministry of Defense has begun an inspection.

The Ministry has suspended the use of these mines and their issuance until the investigation into the causes of the unexpected explosions is completed.