The prominent Ukrainian drone producer Fire point is under investigation for extensive corruption, according to Ukrainian media reports. The Ukrainian anti-corruption police NABU suspects that the company has fabricated its figures to receive more money from the state.
Ten years ago, Centrocast was a film company and casting agency in Kiev that few had heard of. It received smaller assignments from another more well-known production company, Kvartal 95, for which the former TV comedian and later world-renowned president Volodymyr Zelensky was the public face.
When the Ukrainian comedy film ”The Eight Best Dates”, with Zelensky in the lead role, was filmed in 2015, Centrocast was tasked with finding suitable locations for the film.
Centrocast also had other assignments not related to the famous TV comedian.
Drone Production
However, Centrocast’s big breakthrough came only in the summer of 2022. But it was not a successful major film production that put the company on the world map.
A few months after the Russian invasion of the country, the company decided to completely change industries and become a weapons manufacturer. In makeshift premises, the employees put together simple drones to be used in the war against Russia.
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In February 2023, Centrocast changed its name to Fire point, which is the name it is known by today. The business expanded rapidly in an exceptionally short time. In 2025, the company is estimated to have a turnover equivalent to over ten billion Swedish kronor.
New drones are developed at a rapid pace; each one with better features than the last. The latest flagship product is called Flamingo; a rocket that is claimed to have a range of an incredible 300 miles. That is six times more than the Swedish-German cruise missile Taurus.
The Ukrainian drone attacks on targets deep inside Russia receive significant international attention. And with its investments in long-range drones, Fire point is the company that receives the most attention.
Sweden Investing in Ukrainian Drones
Many countries are caught up in the Ukrainian drone frenzy. Sweden is one of them. On November 22 last year, the Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson (M) called a press conference at Karlberg Castle in Stockholm. He was accompanied by Ukraine’s then Defense Minister Rustem Umjerov.
The message from the press conference is that Sweden will contribute ”significant sums” to the Ukrainian production of long-range drones and long-range missiles. This huge contribution will be made through ”the Danish model,” says Jonson.
The Danish model entails the Ukrainian state buying weapons from various domestic arms manufacturers, and the invoice is then sent to taxpayers in Denmark, Sweden, and other countries that are willing to pay.
The Danish government even goes so far as to invite Fire point to build a weapon factory in Denmark. Politicians enact a special law that violates about 20 other Danish laws and regulations to enable the construction.
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Environmental and nature protection laws are bypassed, and those in power are given extensive powers to expropriate land for the construction. Affected landowners are deprived of the right to appeal the decisions.
– A sharp way to comment on this is that the rule of law is being repealed, says Michael Götze, professor of administrative law at the University of Copenhagen, to Danmarks radio.
Corruption Investigation
On August 29 this year, Kyiv independent reveals that the anti-corruption police NABU has launched an investigation into Fire point. The suspicion is that the drone manufacturer has invoiced for more drones than have been delivered, inflated the value of its drones, or possibly a combination of both.
In this way, the individuals behind the company have been able to enrich themselves at the expense of others. Fire point is one of the companies receiving money from EU countries through the so-called ”Danish model”.
Confirmation of the ongoing investigation has been provided by Fire point, which, however, seeks to downplay its significance and claims that it is based on malicious rumors from competitors.
Kyiv independent has received information about the NABU investigation from current and former individuals within the government and the arms industry; sources who have requested to remain anonymous.
According to the sources, NABU has managed to establish that Fire point is ultimately owned by the Ukrainian businessman Timur Mindich. Mindich, who is a close friend of President Volodymyr Zelensky and his former business partner, has emerged as a central figure in a growing number of corruption investigations in recent months. A search was conducted at his residence on Monday.
Samnytt has contacted Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and the Swedish government to inquire about the Ukrainian corruption investigations, given that Sweden has so far paid 108 billion to Ukraine and promised an additional 70 billion in support. The government has not responded.
READ ALSO: Ukraine’s Justice Minister Fired After Corruption Allegations
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