Fedir Venislavsky.Photo: meta.
An interagency commission set up to investigate the malfunctioning of 120mm mines has identified the main causes of the incidents: lower temperatures and high humidity. This was reported by Fedir Venislavsky, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, in a commentary for Suspilne. The information was reported by Time Ukraine Israel, citing Suspilne.
Causes of incidents: temperature fluctuations and humidity
According to Venislavsky, the commission, which included representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Strategic Industries and other security sector institutions, thoroughly investigated the situation. It turned out that the abnormal mine triggering was caused by the negative impact of low temperatures and high humidity. In dry weather conditions, the mines worked without fail.
“We have identified several cases of malfunctioning of mines supplied by certain manufacturers for the security and defence sector. The main reasons were low temperatures and high humidity. In dry weather, these mines worked properly,” the MP said.
Mine recall and batch replacement
Venislavsky confirmed that all mortars from the problematic batch had been recalled and sent back to the factory. The manufacturer has pledged to supply new mines soon, which will be subjected to a thorough additional examination. According to him, the number of seized mines is classified information, and the MP has no right to disclose it.
“These mortars, which were supplied from the batch with the problems, have already been recalled. The company is currently replacing them, and these mortars will undergo additional tests,” Venislavsky explained.
The need for investigation by law enforcement agencies
The issue of possible violations by the manufacturer should be resolved by law enforcement agencies. Venislavsky stressed that only the relevant authorities can consider whether there were violations in the manufacturing process. He also noted that in this regard, it is worth leaving the details for investigation by law enforcement agencies.
“Violations of the manufacture of such mines are serious charges, so this should be considered by the relevant law enforcement agency,” the MP added.
Further work of the commission: quality and storage of ammunition
Venislavskyi also stressed that there are currently no systemic problems with ammunition in the army, but the situation points to the need for greater attention to checking the quality of mines, the conditions of their manufacture, storage and use in the future.
“We cannot say that this is a systemic problem. However, we will be checking the quality of ammunition, the conditions of its storage and use more thoroughly. This has already been taken into account in the commission’s recommendations,” he said.
The investigation is ongoing
The first cases of mine malfunctions were reported in November. In particular, such incidents were recorded in one of the brigades working in the Pokrovsk sector. It is known that the problems arose with mortars of the same batch.
The State Bureau of Investigation has already opened a criminal investigation into the incident. As the matter is sensitive, the details of the investigation remain confidential.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defence said that the investigation into the causes of the malfunctioning of the mines had been going on for three weeks. The use of mines from this batch in the Armed Forces was suspended, and the mines were seized for further investigation.
According to sources in the Ministry of Defence, the manufacturer had received hundreds of thousands of munitions, but the problem arose only with this particular batch. Now, the examination will take time because of the presence of several sub-producers involved in the production of mines.
