TSC probes NABU’s freeze of Archer’s accounts, Ukraine’s sole night vision device maker for UAF.
The Temporary Special Commission (TSC) of the Ukrainian Parliament, tasked with protecting investors’ rights, is investigating the situation surrounding the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) freezing the accounts of Archer, Ukraine’s sole producer of night vision devices, including thermal sights and monoculars used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), Border Guard Service, and other defense units. The issue was raised by TSC Chair and Member of Parliament Halyna Yanchenko in a Facebook post on Monday.
Yanchenko highlighted that Archer has been embroiled in legal disputes in Ukraine and the Czech Republic, where part of its production and staff were relocated. She noted that NABU froze the company’s accounts over allegations of price gouging. However, Czech authorities investigated these claims and found no evidence to support them, according to Yanchenko. The account freeze reportedly caused delays in delivering a batch of night vision monoculars, resulting in Archer paying UAH 25 million (approximately USD 600,000) in penalties.
“We are examining the situation in detail, as the actions of law enforcement appear highly unusual and counterproductive at this stage,” Yanchenko stated.
In late April, Archer’s founder, Oleksandr Yaremenko, reported that NABU conducted a search at the company’s Czech facility, Archer LPP, which fulfills direct military contracts for Ukraine. The search, authorized by a warrant dated May 2024, disrupted production and involved the seizure of computers, phones, and documents. Yaremenko also claimed that NABU officers searched employees’ rented apartments in the Czech Republic, causing distress to their families.
Yaremenko stated that Archer supplied 5,700 night vision devices to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and National Guard under 2022 contracts, which are currently in use on the front lines. However, the company’s funds remain frozen. He alleged that certain NABU investigators have been obstructing Archer’s operations for nearly three years, though he provided no evidence to support claims of external influence on the investigation.
Since its founding in 2010, Thermal Vision Technologies (operating as Archer) has delivered over 20,000 military devices under more than 200 contracts since 2014, without relying on state funding for development or repairs, according to Yaremenko. However, financial data from Opendatabot indicates that in 2024, Archer’s net income fell nearly fivefold to UAH 583.3 million (approximately USD 14 million), while its losses increased 2.3 times to UAH 26.15 million (approximately USD 630,000) compared to 2023.
The TSC’s investigation aims to clarify the circumstances of the account freeze and its impact on Archer’s ability to supply critical equipment to Ukraine’s military. The situation remains under scrutiny as the company navigates legal challenges in both Ukraine and the Czech Republic.
