French authorities seized properties and bank accounts as part of a Ukrainian corruption investigation into the purchase of 67,000 bulletproof vests for the Ukrainian army, according to Eurojust. A former Ukrainian Defence Ministry official is suspected of corruption and money laundering and is alleged to have played a key role in the deal. The Ukrainian state is estimated to have lost €53 million. The contract was signed in March 2022, the vests were paid for in advance, and their poor quality was discovered only upon delivery.

The official is suspected of receiving bribes from the equipment seller and investing the money in French real estate through an associate. Properties in Nice were searched and seized, along with bank accounts. The operation involved French and Ukrainian authorities, with Eurojust coordinating. It was not clear whether anyone had been arrested or how many people were suspected.