(Kyiv) – Ukrainian officials from the Yanukovych government authorized the sale of two Tu-95 bombers in 2011, which were later listed on eBay for $3 million, sparking public outrage and raising concerns about illegal sales and corruption.
A new investigation by Radio Svoboda has uncovered shocking details about the attempted sale of Ukraine’s last remaining Tu-95MS bombers in 2014. According to the report, these bombers, which were part of Ukraine’s military assets, were initially sold under controversial circumstances in 2011, as part of a broader initiative to downsize the country’s armed forces. The bombers were ultimately sold for a fraction of their value to a private firm for just $250,000 each, far below their actual worth.
The story began in 2011 when high-ranking officials from the Yanukovych-era government approved the sale of military assets, including the Tu-95 bombers, MiG-29 fighter jets, Su-24 and Su-25 jets, Mi-8 helicopters, tanks, and artillery. The decision was officially sanctioned by Prime Minister Mykola Azarov’s government. Several key figures, including Viktor Baloga, the Minister for Emergency Situations at the time, Inna Yemelyanova, former Deputy Minister of Justice, and Valeriy Muntyan, head of the Ministry of Economy’s reorganization commission, were involved in the approval of the sale.
However, it wasn’t until 2014 that one of these bombers reappeared on eBay, listed for a staggering $3 million. The listing was removed shortly after media attention sparked outrage, but earlier investigations revealed that the bombers had been sold for just $250,000 each, under unclear and suspicious circumstances.
Further investigation also revealed that a 1999 agreement between Ukraine and Russia led to the transfer of 11 bombers and cruise missiles to Russia, allegedly in exchange for debt relief. Critics argue this violated Ukraine’s Constitution, as the transfer bypassed parliamentary approval. These assets are now reportedly being used by the Russian military.
The Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) launched a probe into the sale of the bombers in 2015, with particular attention to the illegal export of the bombers’ engines to Russia for use in its Air Force. However, the case remains unresolved due to the lack of key suspects, including Mykhailo Yezhel, the former Minister of Defense who was instrumental in the sale and is now believed to be residing in Belarus.
Armed with a Laptop and a cup of coffee, Rothschild is on a mission to conquer the news world, one headline at a time.
Be First to Comment