Over 11 million hryvnias were embezzled from procurement contracts for the Armed Forces of Ukraine: what is known
4 June 01:33
Law enforcement officials have uncovered a scheme involving the embezzlement of public funds during the procurement of generators and power stations for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The scheme involved over 11.2 million hryvnias, which, according to the investigation, was carried out by officials of a military unit in the Chernihiv region in collusion with a representative of commercial entities.
This was reported by the State Bureau of Investigations, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to investigators, after signing contracts for the supply of equipment, the participants in the scheme artificially inflated its cost through additional agreements.
What is known about the scheme
According to the investigation, the case involves the purchase of hundreds of diesel generators and power stations of various capacities totaling over 400 million hryvnias.
After signing the main contracts, the individuals involved in the scheme initiated additional agreements that unjustifiably increased the cost of the equipment by 14%, even though the law allows for a price increase of no more than 10%.
According to law enforcement officials, this is precisely what served as the mechanism for embezzling budget funds.
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How prices for generators for the Armed Forces of Ukraine were inflated
The investigation established that to justify the price increase, letters were sent to the military unit claiming:
- increased logistics costs;
- changes in market conditions;
- the need to revise the cost of supplies.
However, according to the investigation, some of these explanations did not correspond to reality, and certain documents did not contain any calculations or evidence justifying the price increase at all.
Despite this, officials approved and signed additional agreements, after which suppliers received payment at the already inflated prices.
As a result of this scheme, the state suffered losses of over 11.2 million hryvnias.
In fact, according to the investigation, budget funds that were supposed to be used to provide the military with necessary equipment were illegally diverted through the artificial inflation of procurement costs.
Who is suspected in the case
Currently, law enforcement officials have identified two main suspects:
- officials from one of the military units in the Chernihiv region;
- a representative of commercial entities who acted in collusion with them.
Their actions are classified as embezzlement through abuse of official position, committed by an organized group under martial law on a particularly large scale.
The penalty under this article provides for up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Thus, if the suspects are found guilty in court, they face severe punishment due to the scale of the damages and the commission of the crime under martial law.
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