Ukraine’s Security Service has revealed an embezzlement scheme that allowed officials to steal 119 million UAH ($3.2 million) from funds meant to be spent on meals for servicemen, the agency’s statement reads.
“The Security Service has found massive schemes of stealing state money allocated for meals for the Armed Forces. The amount of damage stands at 119.5 million UAH,” the agency stated.
According to the investigation, employees of a department in the Defence Ministry made deals with two businesses, ordering supply of wholesale provisions for garrisons.
“Budget funds were transferred to accounts of enterprises that had neither facilities nor equipment to provide such services,” the agency clarified in a statement.
The corrupt officials would then syphon off the money via numerous affiliated companies.
Two directors of commercial enterprises are suspected of misappropriation and embezzlement of property as well as abuse of rank. Investigations are ongoing into Defence Ministry officials, too.
Additionally, the agency revealed that a commander of a military unit in the Kyiv region stole almost 2.4 million UAH ($65,000) on meals for servicemen. Four of his subordinates were involved in the scheme, as well as “merchants”. Cash shortage was disguised using manipulation of accounting books.
An investigation published by Zn.ua on 21 January revealed that Ukraine’s Defence Ministry might have been purchasing over-priced provisions for the country’s military, sometimes 100% or 200% as expensive as the retail price. Vyacheslav Shapovalov, Deputy Defence Minister, resigned on 24 January. The country’s President Zelensky dismissed over 10 major officials in the same period.
