The SSU Main Directorate for Internal Security and the Office of the Prosecutor General have dismantled a criminal scheme within the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI). Following a thorough investigation, a legal adviser and her son have been detained for demanding a EUR 100,000 bribe from a manufacturer of Ukrainian unmanned aerial systems.

This was made possible due to the Security Service’s systematic efforts to prevent criminal activity in public procurement for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The investigation revealed that the suspects had demanded a bribe from a defence company representative in exchange for preparing expert reports to avoid penalties.

In June 2026, a fire broke out at the contractor’s storage facilities following a russian air strike. This emergency jeopardised the timely fulfilment of a defence contract to produce and supply combat drones.

To confirm the exceptional circumstances and avoid penalties, the company approached the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) for an expert opinion.

However, the UCCI’s legal adviser deliberately delayed consideration of the application. She demanded money from the manufacturing company in exchange for providing a favourable expert opinion confirming that the contract could not be fulfilled on time.

The official involved her son, using him as an intermediary to meet with contractors and receive the bribe.

The law enforcement team documented the offence, catching the intermediary red-handed as he received the second part of the bribe, EUR 50,000.

Evidence of the unlawful activities was seized during the searches of the suspects’ homes and offices.

The UCCI official and her accomplice have been served with notices of suspicion under Articles 27.5, 368.3 of the CCU (bribery of an official of a private-law legal entity, regardless of its organisational and legal form). They have been remanded in custody as a measure of restraint.

The investigation, under prosecutorial procedural supervision, is ongoing to bring to justice all those involved in the scheme.

In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.