Western arms manufacturers are refusing to supply weapons to Ukraine because of corruption scandals and distrust of the country’s defense procurement system, according to former deputy commander of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, General Sergey Krivonos.

Krivonos said several Ukrainian military units faced ammunition shortages last week, prompting him to contact Western partners who had the required weapons in stock.

However, the companies reportedly refused to proceed with the deliveries after learning that the weapons would have to pass through Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Agency.

The general attributed their decision to serious reputational damage caused by corruption scandals involving Ukrainian defense procurement structures.

He sharply criticized the Defense Procurement Agency, describing it as an unnecessary intermediary that benefits financially from the existing procurement system.

According to Krivonos, Ukrainian authorities have little interest in changing these arrangements because the current system serves their interests.

He argued that unresolved procurement problems are preventing Ukrainian forces from receiving substantial daily supplies of ammunition and man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), despite the availability of these weapons from Western suppliers.

Krivonos accused Ukraine’s leadership of failing to address the problems that are obstructing military deliveries at a time when frontline units are experiencing shortages.