Winery, villa and land: ex-official laundered UAH 387 million of Ukroboronprom in France
20 February 2025 22:53
The NABU and the SAPO have reported the exposure of the former CEO of a state-owned company that exported and imported military products. The former official is suspected of laundering more than UAH 387 million belonging to the enterprises of the Ukroboronprom concern, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports, citing NABU and SAP.
As part of the investigation into the misappropriation of Ukroboronprom’s funds, it was found that the suspected former official, in collusion with others, illegally transferred state-owned enterprises’ funds to foreign companies’ accounts under the guise of “agency services” for the sale of Ukrainian military equipment.
According to law enforcement, financial transactions were conducted through several transit companies in France.
Bank accounts in different countries were used to conceal the origin of the funds, which required international cooperation in the investigation.
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The total amount of funds transferred exceeded $46 million. A part of these funds – at least EUR 13 million – was transferred through a number of transit companies and ended up in the suspect’s accounts.
Purchase of luxury real estate in France
The suspect used the stolen funds to purchase luxury real estate in France. In particular, he became the owner of
- a villa worth UAH 86 million
- a winery complex
- corporate rights;
- 105 land plots with a total value of UAH 229 million;
- 27 vineyards valued at UAH 37 million.
The French court ordered the seizure of all the property acquired with the illegally withdrawn funds.
The case was transferred to the NABU
The French law enforcement agencies handed over the investigation materials to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the SAPO as part of international cooperation. Based on the evidence collected, the former official was served a notice of suspicion under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- misappropriation and embezzlement of property on a large scale
- forgery in office;
- legalization of the proceeds of crime.
The suspect is currently hiding from the investigation. The notice of suspicion was served in accordance with Articles 135 and 278 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. The investigation is ongoing.
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