UAH 5.6 million embezzlement in military procurement: organized group exposed

 Detectives of the Main Detective Unit of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine have exposed an organized group that misappropriated funds allocated for the purchase of military equipment. Total damages exceed UAH 5.6 million

According to the investigation, the organizer involved officials from a municipal enterprise and controlled companies. The scheme was carried out under the guise of procurement intended for military support.

The suspects prepared fictitious letters from military units requesting equipment. They also allegedly forged documents from various companies to create the appearance of competition. Subsequently, contracts were signed, and reports were filed, though no actual deliveries took place.

The funds were transferred to the accounts of controlled enterprises, withdrawn as cash, and distributed among the participants.

The suspects’ actions are classified as misappropriation of property through abuse of office as part of an organized group, involving damage on a particularly large scale.

The organizer has been charged under Part 3 of Art. 27 and Part 5 of Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (organization of a crime; misappropriation of property through abuse of office on an especially large scale). Co-perpetrators have been charged under Part 5 of the Art. 191 of the CC of Ukraine, and the accomplice under Part 5 of Art. 27 and Part 5 of Art. 191 of the CC of Ukraine (complicity in a crime; misappropriation of property through abuse of office on an especially large scale).

Four individuals have been notified of suspicion. The issue of selecting preventive measures is currently being decided. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

The Special Prosecution Office in the Defense Sector of the Eastern Region is providing procedural guidance, with operational support from the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police of Ukraine.

In accordance with Art. 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court's verdict of guilty.