SSU investigators and military counterintelligence officers have collected evidence of criminal activity of the former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, who held this position from 2021 to 2023.

The official is suspected of embezzling almost UAH 1 billion (USD 27 million) of state funds.

According to the investigation, in 2022, the offender, in collusion with his subordinates, purchased low-quality military uniforms from a private company for nearly UAH 1 billion.

It has been established that the said uniforms are unsuitable for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the cold season during intense combat actions.

Based on the collected materials, SSU investigators served the former Deputy Minister a notice of suspicion under two articles of the CCU:

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

His accomplice, the former acting director of the Public Procurement Department of the Ministry of Defense, was notified of suspicion under the same articles of the CCU.

Both offenders are currently in custody, facing up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The SSU carried out the operation jointly with the State Audit Service of Ukraine under the supervision of the Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office of the Prosecutor General's Office.

Note: Pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subject to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved by law and established by a court verdict of guilty.