The ESBU uncovers an embezzlement scheme of over 71 million UAH on supplying poor-quality food to the AFU

 State losses exceeded 71 million UAH due to the supply of unfit and prohibited daily field rations to AFU military units. Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in Kyiv have served notices of suspicion to four individuals involved.

The investigation established that throughout 2022, directors of several companies ensured the supply of more than 180,000 daily field ration kits to AFU military units. However, a portion of the products failed to meet established quality and safety requirements, were unfit for consumption, and were prohibited from use.

To organize the deliveries, company officials drafted documents containing false information. Specifically, manufacturer declarations and other official documentation stated that the ration kits complied with technical specifications and established safety requirements, even though this was actually not the case.

As a result, products that were unfit for consumption and failed to meet the necessary quality and safety standards entered military units.

Furthermore, the pretrial investigation established that officials from the Department of State Procurement and Supply of Material Resources of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, through improper control and negligent execution of official duties under martial law, permitted the supply of goods prohibited from use.

The total amount of damages caused to the state, represented by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, as a result of these actions exceeds 71 million UAH.

Four individuals involved have been served with notices of suspicion under Part 5 of the Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - embezzlement of state funds on an especially large scale; Part 1 of Article. 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - official forgery and entering false data into official documents; Art. 227 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - introduction of dangerous products into circulation; Part 5 of Art. 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - negligent attitude of military officials to service under martial law, which caused severe consequences.

Operational support is provided by the Security Service of Ukraine. The prosecution is led by the Specialized Defense Procuracy of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.

Pursuant to Art. 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proved through legal procedure and established by a court verdict of guilty.