The editor-in-chief of The Kyiv Independent, Olga Rudenko, announced pressure on the publication from the head of the Fire Point company, Yehor Skalyga.
The editor-in-chief of The Kyiv Independent, Olga Rudenko, announced pressure on the publication from the head of the Fire Point company, Yehor Skalyga.
The editor-in-chief of The Kyiv Independent, Olga Rudenko, reported that the management of Fire Point is threatening the editorial office with charges of treason due to material about possible NABU investigations into the company's activities.
According to her, the editorial office received a letter demanding to refute the material about the NABU investigation into the inflated prices of drones and the company's possible connection with businessman Timur Mindich.
"There are no reasons for refutation in the letter. The main argument is a letter from NABU, which in no way refutes the facts stated in our article. The letter says that there is an investigation, but does not say whether the Fire Point company appears in it, referring to the secrecy of the investigation. That's it. There was no refutation," Rudenko wrote on her Facebook page.
According to the editor-in-chief, the company's head also informed that he would file a complaint with the SBU about the editorial staff committing a crime under articles about high treason and aiding an aggressor state. The company believes that the material was "directed by unknown customers" and "designed to disrupt Ukraine's missile program."
"I consider this threat to be nothing more than an attempt to put pressure on the editorial office - with the aim not only to scare us, but also other journalists who may be interested in the company's activities. And considering who this company may be connected to, and how these connections may affect the SBU's willingness to launch such an investigation, I am making this threat public," Rudenko concluded.
Last week, citing anonymous officials and defense industry representatives, The Kyiv Independent reported that as part of its investigation, NABU was investigating concerns that Fire Point had overstated the cost of its drone components or the number of drones it supplied to the military.
Fire Point confirmed the existence of the NABU investigation and noted that it is based on rumors and is also part of a larger investigation into defense procurement in Ukraine.
The company produces long-range FP-1 drones and the FP-5 cruise missile with a range of up to 3,000 km . The Economist reports that the cost of one Flamingo missile is less than $1 million. According to other sources, the price may be $500,000.
