The SSU Main Directorate for Internal Security and investigators in cooperation with the NABU and the Prosecutor General’s Office have uncovered a scheme of embezzlement of funds allocated for Service’s fuel in 2022.

The former head of the SSU Logistics Support Department and his first deputy are involved in organizing the fraud. Both had earlier been dismissed from their positions at the initiative of the SSU Head Vasyl Maliuk.

During the pre-trial investigation and lengthy forensic examinations, it was established that the suspects had organized the purchase of fuel and lubricants for SSU cars and armoured vehicles at artificially high prices.

For this purpose, they involved several Kyiv oil-trading entities, which were under their control.

To operate the scheme, the officials entered false information into the financial and business records and reports.

In this way, the SSU incurred over UAH 26 million (USD 660,000) in losses.

During the searches of the suspects’ homes, the investigators found more than 11 million in UAH equivalent.

At the homes and offices of the heads of the involved companies, the investigators seized unregistered weapons: combat grenades, submachine guns, a hand grenade launcher, a combat pistol and over half a thousand rounds of ammunition for firearms.

Mobile phones, computer equipment and documents with evidence of the crime were also confiscated during the searches.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators notified the former officials of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 191.5 (embezzlement of property by abuse of office, committed by a group, under martial law, on a particularly large scale);
• 114-1.1 (obstruction of lawful activities of other military formations - the SSU, during a special period).

The court is to choose a measure of restraint. The suspects face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Specialized Defence Prosecutor’s Office of the Prosecutor General’s Office.