Military unit officials in Dnipropetrovsk region suspected of embezzling fortification funds - PGO

Corruption schemes involving the construction of defensive lines have been uncovered in the Dnipropetrovsk region, with damages to the state exceeding UAH 14 million, announced Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.

"One military unit. Two schemes. Five suspects. Over UAH 14 million in damages to the state," the Prosecutor General noted on his Telegram channel on Friday.

According to him, in 2024, officials of a military unit, together with civilian accomplices, organized the procurement of materials for fortifications at inflated prices.

"The scheme is simple: controlled enterprises received direct contracts, and their prices were inflated by approximately 20% compared to the market. Budget funds were transferred to the companies’ accounts, after which the money was withdrawn as cash or legalized," Kravchenko specified.

Kravchenko emphasized that the materials for the defensive positions were actually purchased significantly cheaper.

The Prosecutor General explained that in one episode, the corruption scheme was organized by a military unit commander with the rank of colonel. "In just two months (May-June 2024), UAH 7.3 million in damages was caused to the state. The individual has been notified of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," Kravchenko noted.

In another episode, the participants included the head of the military unit’s state procurement group, an officer from that group, his wife, and a civilian bankruptcy trustee.

"They appropriated approximately another UAH 6.7 million. Restrictive measures have already been chosen for three suspects, while another is currently in the hospital," the Prosecutor General added.

He stressed that the involvement of other officials and possible embezzlement totaling tens of millions of hryvnias are currently being investigated.