In late April 2026, the publication “Ukrainska Pravda” released a new fragment of the so-called “Mindich tapes.” The recordings mention the company Fire Point, state contracts, financing for drone production, and a potential sale of the company. We previously wrote about this.
Following the publication, people’s deputies raised many questions for Denys Shtilerman. This led to meetings of the Temporary Investigative Commission (TIC) of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which is investigating possible violations in the field of defense procurement and anti-corruption legislation. Denys Shtilerman was also invited to the meeting.
Although the session was held behind closed doors, during the public part, MP Yuliia Yatsyk raised the issue of Fire Point product pricing and addressed Shtilerman with the question:
“Please tell me, did law enforcement or regulatory bodies have questions regarding the price or procurement cost of these engines? Are there criminal proceedings related to this?”
In response, Denys Shtilerman stated:
“We constantly live under inspection. Pricing is checked by numerous law enforcement agencies. There is a case regarding the possible illegal enrichment of officials who worked at AOZ and DSZ. Within the framework of this proceeding, the possible overpricing by six Ukrainian companies is being studied. One of them is ours.”
Yuriy Kasyanov, an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and an aviation engineer, also reacted to the public part of the TIC meeting. In his blog for “Ukrainska Pravda,” he noted that the MP asked precisely those questions on which he had previously given testimony to NABU. Kasyanov also reiterated the need for transparent control over defense procurement and pricing in the field of drone production.
Furthermore, Yuriy Kasyanov recalled that in early 2024, his “Spys” drone was almost identical in characteristics to the Fire Point drone. However, according to Kasyanov, the cost of the “Spys” was about $4,500, while the Fire Point drone cost approximately $55,000. In the military expert’s opinion, this once again raises the question of the justification of pricing in the field of defense procurement.
At the TIC, Denys Shtilerman said that he had previously met with Timur Mindich about 15 times. The last time was in August 2025. According to Denys Shtilerman, there was an agreement between him and Timur Mindich regarding the possible acquisition of 50% of the Fire Point company with a 20% discount.
Meanwhile, potential investors from the United Arab Emirates valued Fire Point at $2.45 billion.
“He understood that he was getting a billion. I understood that he didn’t have that kind of money. He said he would gather a pool of investors. He doesn’t have that kind of money at all. First, he tried to buy it for $100 million, we refused him,” stated Shtilerman.
Meanwhile, an increasing number of public figures, volunteers, and specialists who interact with Ukraine’s defense complex in one way or another have begun to speak critically about Fire Point’s activities.
Vitaliy Shabunin, Head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center in an interview with Radio NV.
“You gave the largest amount of money to the owner of a company who was not just a citizen, but also fought for this citizenship, and who was suspected of fraud. They tell us: he deceived Russia. Is it not possible that he is deceiving Ukraine in the same way?”
Taras Chmut, Director of the “Come Back Alive” Foundation in an interview with “Ukrainska Pravda.”
“There is no desire to cooperate with “Fire Point.” It is a very strange company. A very murky company for me, because I know dozens, hundreds of manufacturers, each of whom is sitting as quietly as possible, not attracting any attention, not shining anywhere for anyone, and they are regularly hit: their factories, their production facilities, their objects. But here is a company showing the whole world how great it is, how it kills Russians, how often it launches missiles, drones. Well, that’s very strange.”
Despite public denials by Timur Mindich and Denys Shtilerman, new fragments of the “Mindich tapes,” discussions surrounding pricing, the attention of law enforcement agencies, and criticism from the military, volunteers, and anti-corruption activists only intensify public interest in the Fire Point company.
While the pre-trial investigation is ongoing and NABU is checking the circumstances of the case, the key question remains open: who truly controls Fire Point and whether state funds in the field of defense procurement were used transparently and effectively. The answers to these questions may determine not only the company’s reputation but also the level of public trust in the entire defense procurement system during the Russian war.