“Shawarma instead of the front”: Ukrainian Armed Forces officer suspected of using soldiers for business
7 October 2025 16:47
Law enforcement officers of the State Bureau of Investigation have served a notice of suspicion to an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and two of his subordinates, [ komersant] reports.
According to the investigation, for almost two years, the military official forced soldiers to work outside their assigned duties – instead of serving, they built and maintained a shawarma kiosk in Donetsk region.
The officer, according to the SBI, also used the soldiers for his own household work. The street food business was registered in his wife’s name, who actually managed her husband’s subordinates, distributing responsibilities and controlling profits.
What are they suspected of
Investigators found that the two soldiers received full monthly salaries, including payments for allegedly participating in hostilities, although they were actually engaged in business.
According to law enforcement estimates, the state suffered losses of more than UAH 4 million.
- the officer was served a notice of suspicion of abuse of office and aiding and abetting in evasion of service under martial law (Article 364(2), Article 27(5), Article 409(4) of the Criminal Code). He faces up to 10 years in prison;
- indictments have been sent to court against two soldiers for evading military service by deception (part 4 of article 409 of the Criminal Code).
This case is one of a number of high-profile SBI exposés in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where some military personnel are suspected of abusing their authority during the war.
According to the Bureau, law enforcement agencies are tightening control over the use of state resources in the Armed Forces, as any distraction of soldiers from combat missions directly affects the country’s defense capability.
Why this is important
The story caused a public outcry not only because of the accusations of financial losses, but also because of the symbolic contrast: in a time of war, soldiers were supposed to be performing combat missions, but they were forced to cook shawarma.
This case illustrates how seriously law enforcement officials take control over discipline in the military and the fight against any manifestations of abuse
