The SSU and the National Police, in cooperation with the MoD Internal Security Directorate and the AFU leadership, have shut down a corruption scheme connected with social benefits for the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As a result of the operation, the head of a division of the Ministry of Defence’s Finance Department and two of his accomplices – the head of the financial service of a military unit and a former serviceman – have been detained.

These persons set up a criminal scheme to obtain money from Ukrainian soldiers who were injured at the frontline.

For the bribes, they promised the severely wounded soldiers unimpeded accrual of disability payments, stipulated by the law.

The investigation documented facts of receiving over UAH 300,000 (USD 7,200) in bribes.

All three suspects were apprehended ‘red-handed’ after receiving part of the money.

Based on the evidence, the head of the MoD unit was served a notice of suspicion under Article 368.3 of the CCU (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an unlawful benefit by an official).

The criminal actions of his two accomplices were qualified under Articles 27.5 and 368 of the CCU (aiding and abetting in accepting an offer, promise or receipt of an unlawful benefit by an official).

The court is to decide on measures of restraint. The investigation is ongoing.

The suspects face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Kyiv and Kyiv region under the procedural supervision of the Special Prosecutor’s Office of the Central Region.