Robert Storch did not rule out that there could be more cases.
Pentagon Inspector General Robert Storch said investigators had opened more than 50 cases related to aid to Ukraine, including against contractors. At the moment, not a single accusation has been confirmed.
“The investigations, which are at various stages, are looking at issues such as procurement fraud, product substitution, theft, fraud or corruption, and diversion,” Storch was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. “We have not confirmed any such allegations, although this may change in the future.”
He also warned that there will likely be more investigations into abuse or misuse of US equipment, “given the number and speed” of equipment supplied to Ukraine.
The Pentagon, along with the State Department and the US Agency for International Development, is monitoring approximately $113 billion allocated to Ukraine as part of the US-led Operation Atlantic Resolve aimed at ousting Russia. A similar process was carried out regarding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
According to him, at the moment, auditors have identified “shortcomings and gaps” in the provision of assistance. For example, during the audit we discovered incomplete declarations for cargo transported to Ukraine via Poland.
“As a result, Department of Defense personnel did not have the necessary accountability for all types of equipment during the transfer process,” the June report said.
Despite these problems, Storch said the Pentagon has “responded well” to Ukraine’s military assistance needs, “by being nimble in executing what is essentially a training and resupply mission” before much of the equipment reaches Ukraine.
Among other reviews still in the works, the Pentagon is studying the issue of 155mm artillery shells to determine whether the United States has achieved its goals while balancing the needs of its own reserves, training and operations.
Audit of US aid to Ukraine – main news
Since 2023, the issue of auditing the assistance that Kyiv received from Washington has been actively discussed in the United States. In the fall, the US military began conducting on-site inspections in Ukraine, and in mid-February it became known that the US wanted to send some auditors and investigators to Ukraine.
In addition, it was reported that work was being done to create an application to monitor aid to Ukraine. As of the end of February 2023, the United States had not recorded any facts that the weapons transferred to Ukraine had left its borders.
Also, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian Affairs Laura Cooper said that the Pentagon is taking measures to track weapons provided to Ukraine to prevent the proliferation of weapons.
