Light industry entrepreneurs ask Zelenskyy to intervene in situation regarding pressure on them by law enforcers in favor of importers
Custom-made criminal prosecutions and pressure by law enforcement officers on Ukrainian light industry manufacturers indicate an attempt to oust them from the market in favor of unscrupulous importers, according to an open letter from industry representatives to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"We, representatives of Ukrainian light industry enterprises, appeal to you with a request for personal intervention, an impartial investigation and protection from actions that, in the opinion of industry representatives, harm the national interests and security of Ukraine," the entrepreneurs of the Defense Procurement Committee of Light Industry said in the letter posted on the website of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine.
It is noted that one of the instruments of the policy of squeezing domestic producers of tangible property and personal protective equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine out of the market is custom-made criminal prosecutions.
"Over the past year, we have witnessed how most contracts with unscrupulous importers were either terminated, or the delivered products turned out to be of poor quality and even dangerous for our defenders. As a result, state funds went to such importers, instead of orders being received by the capacities of domestic factories," the letter reads.
The entrepreneurs said they have repeatedly informed the state and the public through public appeals by entrepreneurs on social networks and letters from the Federation of Employers to the Ministry of Defense and the State Rear Logistics Operator, but no proper financial sanctions or criminal proceedings were taken against unscrupulous importers.
"Instead, since the beginning of 2025, we have been observing a mass opening of criminal cases by law enforcement agencies (the State Bureau of Investigations, the State Security Service of Ukraine, and the National Police) against real Ukrainian manufacturers, who are known for their experience, reputation, and proper execution of contracts. Ukrainian companies are faced with groundless searches, the opening of fake criminal proceedings, black PR attacks, and strong pressure from individual representatives of law enforcement agencies," the appeal reads.
According to entrepreneurs, the fact that such a tough policy of law enforcement officers does not apply to dishonest importers is evidence of the custom-made nature of the persecution and bias on the part of certain law enforcement officers.
Entrepreneurs call the consequences of these actions, in particular, destroyed competition, budget losses, and a decrease in defense capability, because due to the disruption of contracts by dishonest importers, the military does not receive high-quality clothing and ammunition on time.
The letter emphasizes that the entrepreneurs represent over 10,000 employees and about 2 billion in taxes paid annually.