Overpriced procurement for defense lines: ESBU serves notice of suspicion to military unit official

 Detectives of the Main Detective Unit of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine have uncovered the embezzlement of budget funds allocated for the construction of defense lines. The state suffered damages exceeding UAH 7.3 million.

The investigation established that an official from a military unit organized the procurement of engineering barriers and low-visibility obstacles for the construction of defensive positions from a pre-selected supplier. During the preparation of the contracts, the documents specified inflated prices that did not correspond to the market value of the products.

Subsequently, several supply contracts were concluded between the military unit and the enterprise. The official then signed the expenditure documents and issued instructions to process the payments. Ultimately, over UAH 18.4 million in budget funds was transferred to the company's accounts.

Based on the results of forensic examinations, it was established that the actual market value of the delivered goods was significantly lower than stipulated in the contracts. As a result of this artificial price inflation, the state suffered damages exceeding UAH 7.3 million.

The official has been served a notice of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (misappropriation of property through abuse of office, committed under martial law and in particularly large amounts). The court has ordered detention as a preventive measure, with the option of posting bail.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officers are identifying other individuals who may be involved in the implementation of this illegal scheme.