Ukraine prosecutors suspect sabotage, find no evidence yet

Investigators
haven’t found any evidence of groups of saboteurs that might have caused the
Sept. 26 fire at
the Kalynivka ammunitions depot in central Ukraine, said this morning Anatoliy Matios, the
head military prosecutor of Ukraine. His statement came a day after his office
registered documents indicating criminal sabotage as the possible cause of the
fire. Military prosecutors said they were investigating four possible causes.

The fire at
Kalynivka was mostly extinguished by the evening of Sept. 27. At least 70% of
the 68 tons of live ammunition stored at the Kalynivka depot has been
preserved, as estimated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
The rest of the depot’s hardware consisted of 83,000 tons of ammunitions
components and scrap metal, the president’s press-service reported, citing
Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak.

Zenon Zawada: Unfortunately, a repeat of the
situation surrounding the Balakliya ammunitions depot fire in March is likely
to occur with Kalynivka, with the matter being swept under the rug without
anyone being held responsible. Though some MPs have called for the dismissal of
Viktor Muzhenko, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, we doubt anyone will
face any consequences. President Poroshenko has demonstrated fierce loyalty to
those in his inner circle, particularly his military commanders. Muzhenko in
particular has survived far greater scandals and remains widely resented,
particularly by Ukrainian paramilitaries.

What’s particularly troubling is that the Poroshenko administration
seemed to have learned little from the Balakliya depot fire and failed to take
measures to prevent the Kalynivka incident. Moreover, little information has
been released to the public about what happened at Balakliya (authorities
reached the conclusion of sabotage) and how much was damaged there. Although
sensitive information needs to be protected from the public in a time of war,
the Russians likely know the details of Ukraine’s military sites as well as the
Ukrainians themselves.