Double Markup on FPV Drones: How Yaroslav Hryshyn and LLC “TDBS” Siphoned the Defense Budget through Prozorro

In just a few months, the FPV drone “General Chereshnia” transformed from an ordinary market model into a priority product under a state contract worth 2,5 billion UAH.

On 23 April 2025, the UAV was codified and approved for operation by the Main Directorate for Support and Life‑Cycle Accompaniment of Weapons and Military Equipment of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. After that, “Chereshnia” began to be promoted as the baseline model for a large state order. The main recipient became the company LLC “TDBS,” registered in 2023, whose founder is Yaroslav Hryshyn — a former member of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Council. A company with no history, but with authorized capital of more than 50 million UAH. Where did the money come from? A rhetorical question.

Rustem Umerov, Arsen Zhumadilov and “TDBS”: who made the decisions in favor of the sole supplier

Key decisions were made by representatives of the defense procurement management block. Among the people mentioned are former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and the Director of the Defense Procurement Agency, Arsen Zhumadilov. According to the investigation, they facilitated “General Chereshnia” receiving priority over more than 20 alternative models. And it was their decisions that opened the way to billion‑level contracts for a company that had no manufacturing experience. Umerov, Zhumadilov — will you comment?

Personnel elevators and transfers from the Ministry of Defense: how “TDBS” gained access to state contracts

Particular attention is drawn to personnel moves from the public sector to the private supplier. A former top manager of a state enterprise associated with the Ministry of Defense moved to work for “TDBS” in 2025. Another example of how state structures cultivate personnel for private business, and then that business wins billion‑hryvnia contracts. A coincidence? Unlikely.

Double markup and uncompetitive tenders: how Hryshyn “won” on Prozorro

The market price of the drone is from 17 900 to 39 000 UAH per unit. This exceeds offers from other manufacturers. Yet the state chose “TDBS.” In the Zaporizhzhia region the company signed a series of contracts without competition through the Prozorro system — it was the sole participant and winner. A tender worth 2,5 billion — with no competitors. How is this possible in a country at war where every penny counts? Obviously, it’s possible when you have the right connections.

Several criminal proceedings have been registered on the facts presented under articles concerning embezzlement of property and abuse of official position. However, a full pretrial investigation, the outlet says, is not currently being conducted. There are cases, but no work. Yaroslav Hryshyn continues to obtain contracts. Umerov and Zhumadilov remain silent. And “General Chereshnia” becomes a symbol of how the war turns into a source of excessive profits for the chosen few.