Ukraine searches for Croatian businessman accused in arms‑fund diversion
Kyiv says money paid for 100,000 mortar grenades in October 2022 never arrived; funds allegedly flowed to a Bosnian explosives plant and to a Zagreb company whose owner is now wanted.
Ukrainian prosecutors say an investigation into diverted funds meant for arms purchases has reached Bosnia and a Croatian businessman now declared internationally wanted.
In October 2022 the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine contracted 100,000 mortar grenades from the Ukrainian firm Lviv Arsenal for a total of $36.6 million. Kyiv paid in advance, but the consignments never arrived; several firms across Europe were involved in the deal, including Sevotech of Slovakia and Zagreb-based WDG Promet.
Suspect and cross‑border trail
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine says the Main Investigative Department of the National Police, under prosecutorial supervision, has opened a case in which the Croatian entrepreneur Matijas Zubak is a named suspect and has been declared an internationally wanted person. Ukrainian records previously listed him among those evading investigators.
Documents from the Ukrainian court system indicate that funds originally earmarked for the purchase of the munitions were later used to acquire the Vitezit explosives factory in central Bosnia. The Zagreb company linked to the deal is under judicial scrutiny in Bosnia and Herzegovina over that acquisition.
According to the prosecutors, the criminal inquiry was paused after Zubak was declared internationally wanted; under Ukrainian law the probe may continue once his whereabouts are established. An international search can be conducted through Interpol or other law‑enforcement cooperation channels, though his name does not currently appear in Interpol’s public red‑notice database and Interpol has not publicly confirmed the issuance of a notice.
Separately, Czech politician Andrej Babiš has stated: "The Czech Republic does not provide money for arming Ukraine," a remark that figures in broader regional discussions about support and procurement for Kyiv.
Photo: printskrin od Telegram / Exilenova
