The SSU has collected a substantial evidence base on corrupt activities of the former Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine and the former head of the Ministry’s Public Procurement Department.

The officials are involved in embezzlement of budget funds for the purchase of bulletproof vests and winter uniforms for the Armed Forces of Ukraine units performing combat missions at the front.

The suspects’ unlawful activity caused losses to the state budget of over UAH 1 bln (USD 26.8 mln).

According to the investigation, the defence officials organized the scheme in early March 2022.

To implement it, they purchased nearly 3,000 bulletproof vests from a foreign company for over UAH 130 mln (USD 3.4 mln). More than UAH 100 mln of this amount were appropriated by the participants of the scheme.

The SSU-initiated commodity examination found that the real market value of such protective equipment was only UAH 25 mln (USD 670,000).

Moreover, the purchased bulletproof vests do not meet the declared protection class.

The investigation also established that the fraudsters had purchased a wholesale batch of low-quality winter jackets and pants for the AFU for a total amount of UAH 900 mln (USD 24 mln).

The purchased apparel does not meet the requirements for use in the cold season in the conditions of intense warfare.

During the searches at the suspects’ offices and homes, the SSU found documentation and other material evidence of the crime.

Based on the collected evidence, the SSU served both former officials notices of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 191.5 (misappropriation, embezzlement or seizure of property through abuse of office),
• 28.2, 114-1.1 (obstruction of lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations).

Both offenders are currently in custody on suspicion of similar crimes. Earlier, the former Deputy Minister of Defence had been declared suspect for involvement in procurement of food for the AFU at inflated prices and low-quality ammunition (Article 114-1 of the CCU). The former department head has been in custody under the SSU’s investigation since February 2023.

The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime. The offenders are facing up to 12 years in prison.

Due to the SSU’s principled position, the replacement of low-quality protective equipment purchased for the AFU through the fraud was initiated.

The SSU exposed and is investigating the offences under the supervision of the Specialized Defence Prosecutor’s Office of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in line with the procedure defined by law and established by a relevant court’s verdict.