The State Bureau of Investigation has launched an inquiry into the malfunctioning of Ukrainian-made mines.

The Ministry of Defense is currently investigating the causes of the malfunction of 120-mm mines produced in Ukraine. The internal investigation has been ongoing for the third week, and the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) has opened a criminal case, officials stated in the ministry's press service on Tuesday, November 26.

The Ministry of Defense reported that information regarding the investigation's progress is sensitive due to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war and is under restricted access. However, the ministry's press service emphasized that the lack of public comments does not indicate neglect or inaction regarding the information provided by the military or disseminated by the media.

Following reports about batches of defective 120-mm mines, the Ministry of Defense has suspended the use of these munitions in the Defense Forces and will no longer distribute them to combat units. Such measures will remain in place until the causes of the malfunction are determined.

"The batch of supplied munitions has been withdrawn for further investigation. In the meantime, imported mines will be supplied. Preliminary results from the interagency commission's investigation into the supply of defective 120-mm mortar mines indicate possible causes for the defects, including substandard propellant charges or violations of storage conditions that led to their damage," the Ministry of Defense press service reported.

Due to the malfunction of the mines, the DBR has initiated a criminal case. Based on the results of its work, "appropriate personnel decisions will be made regarding the responsible officials."

The Ministry of Defense emphasized that it is the customer for the 120-mm mines for the Defense Forces, while the executor of this order is the Ministry of Strategic Industries. The Ministry of Defense also stated that it has implemented enhanced monitoring of weapon storage conditions and improved inspections from production to delivery at the front. Additionally, the commission will inspect mines of other calibers.

Recall that earlier several media outlets, referencing videos from servicemen, reported on the malfunction of the 120-mm mines, with complaints reportedly starting to emerge in early November. According to Yuriy Butusov, editor-in-chief of "Censor.NET," 100,000 120-mm mortar mines are being recalled due to defects from the front. According to the publication "Mirror of the Week," the reason for the defective mines may be that officials in the Ministry of Defense "concealed the manufacturer's problems" – supposedly from "Ukrainian Defense Industry."