Ukrainian government envoy for anticorruption policy Tetiana Chornovol has spoken in favor of the early cancellation of an agreement between the Ukrainian Defense and Interior Ministries and the Ukrainian Helicopters company regarding the renting out of 26 helicopters, so that the aircraft will be returned to the armed forces.
“In 2003, an agreement between Defense Ministry and this company was
signed to rent out 16 helicopters of the institution for a token
payment; 10 more helicopters were rented by the company from the
Interior Ministry… According to the agreement, in case of
force-majeure circumstances the company must return helicopters to the
owners within 15 days,” she said at a press conference in Kyiv on July 11.
According to her, army currently possesses only 10 operational
military helicopters. Besides, not all of them have missile defenses.
“Why were our helicopters hit during the anti-terrorist operation?
Our helicopters aren’t equipped with missile defense systems. Ukraine
lived in peace and didn’t install it on helicopters. However, there are
currently two helicopters being assembled in an aircraft repair plant in
Konotop. According to the helicopters’ contract, they are to be
equipped with ‘Adros’ missile defense systems. These systems are already
prepared, they are sitting in a package at the plant,” she said.
