The Kyiv Independent chief editor Olha Rudenko says the news outlet has faced pressyre by the management of Fire Point following their report about the investigation into the company’s activities by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), according to Olha Rudenko’s Facebook post.
Rudenko says that their team had received a letter from the Fire Point CEO, Yehor Skalyha, demanding a retraction of their report saying that NABU was investigating the company’s activities.
“According to our sources, this probe also includes looking into the companies’ possible overstatement of prices for the drones it supplied to the state, as well as the company’s alleged ties with Tymur Mindich, a businessman close to the President,” Rudenko wrote.
She added that the letter provided no grounds for a retraction.
“The main argument was a letter from NABU which in no way contradicts the facts reproted in our article. The letter says that there is an investigation, but does not say whether Fire Point is a subject of it, citing the secrecy of the investigation. That’s all. There has been no refutation,” Rudenko noted.
The journalist also reported that the Fire Point CEO had told the editorial team that he would file a statement with the SBU regarding a crime committed by the news outlet.
“Under articles on high treason and aiding the aggressor state. Because he believes our article to be ‘directed by unknown customers’ and ‘designed to disrupt Ukraine’s missile program,'” she quoted.
Olha Rudenko emphasized that this is attemptted pressure.
“I consider this threat to be nothing more than attempted pressure on the media outlet, the aim being to intimidate not just us, but also other journalists who may take interest in the company’s activities,” the chief editor explained.
Rudenko added that she was making the situation public “considering who this company may be connected to and how these connections may affect the SBU’s willingness to launch an investigation like this.”
Previously
On 29 August, The Kyiv Independent released an article alleging that Fire Point, the manufacturer of drones and Flamingo missiles, was likely abusing the state procurement program by gouging the prices. It also mentioned the company’s possible ties to Tymur Mindich, a businessman close to the President, and it being one of the largest recipients of defense contracts.
NABU issued an official statement later, on 29 August: “In response to numerous media inquiries, we would like to inform you that NABU and SAPO are not investigating the Flamingo missiles mentioned in the media.”