The SSU detained the director general of a private airline in Kyiv. He ignored martial law and did not return leased helicopters worth nearly half a million USD to state ownership.

This aircraft was supposed to be used for combat missions by the National Guard of Ukraine in the fight against russia’s full-scale aggression.

Instead, the owner of the company earned tens of millions of UAH subleasing the aircraft in West Africa.

It was established that in 2002 one of the military units leased 9 Mi-8MT multifunctional helicopters and one Mi-8MTV to a private company.

Under the agreement, in the event of martial law they were supposed to return the aircraft to the base aerodrome.

However, the head of the airline violated the law and left the helicopters abroad.

The SSU investigators have notified the detainee of suspicion under Article 114-1.1 (obstruction of lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a special period) of the CCU. The court is to choose the measure of restraint.

The SSU is acting to return the helicopters to state ownership.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Kirovohrad region under the procedural supervision of Kropyvnytskyi Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the military and defence spheres of the Southern region.

The SSU will continue to make every effort to protect Ukraine’s defence potential.