In recent days, the Ukrainian information space has been rocked by a scandal involving FirePoint, a company producing missiles and drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The trigger was an investigation by New York Times journalist Andrew Kramer, published on October 26, 2025. The article raised doubts about FirePoint’s activities, pointing to its previous engagement as a film and TV casting agency and its connections to show business.
The main accusation concerns suspected overpricing for state contracts and potential political connections. The article also claims the company's annual revenue rose from $4 million to over $100 million, with missile sales totaling $320 million. Some sources cite a $16.7 million surplus on contracts, according to a reported internal audit, though details of this audit remain unconfirmed, and some experts question the NYT’s findings.
Ukrainian military and civil society representatives praise FirePoint’s products as effective, noting that Ukraine’s defense industry is developing, often driven by people with no prior defense experience. Reference is made to historical cases like Ford producing bombers during WWII, despite no prior aviation experience.
The analysis emphasizes that accusations must be based on concrete evidence rather than rumors about show business or political ties. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) is conducting investigations, but these cover several companies, and no formal accusations regarding FirePoint’s Flamingo missile have been made.
The article underlines the importance of transparent military industry procedures and oversight from society and the state. It also notes that major media investigations are often used by Russian propaganda to discredit the Ukrainian defense sector on the international stage.
Experts stress the necessity of separating politics, business, and actual evidence, warning against the proliferation of unsubstantiated allegations. Only objective audits and impartial investigations can determine whether suspicions against FirePoint are justified.
