SBU and NABU exposed the theft of UAH 102 million intended for dynamic protection of Ukrainian Army tanks
The Security Service of Ukraine, together with the NABU, have exposed a large-scale corruption scheme that operated in two regions. The criminals embezzled UAH 102 million allocated for the production of dynamic protection for tanks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This was reported by the SBU.
As a result of comprehensive investigative actions in Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, the organizers of the transaction were identified: the commercial director of the state-owned enterprise, its former manager, and the owner of the contractor company. The investigation found that in April 2022, the state-owned plant concluded a contract with the Ministry of Defense for the urgent purchase of dynamic protection systems for tanks that were to arrive at the front as soon as possible.
However, instead of promptly fulfilling the order, the then director of the enterprise organized a mechanism for misappropriating funds. Together with the commercial director and founder of the contracting company, he concluded an agreement for the supply of components at an inflated price — three times higher than the market price.
The participants in the scheme hid the difference between the real and “paper” value through a network of controlled companies, after which they distributed it among themselves.
Expert reports confirmed the losses caused to the state in particularly large amounts. The three defendants were charged with embezzlement of property through abuse of office, laundering of illegally obtained funds, and official forgery.
The former director of the defense plant, whom the investigation considers the main organizer, is already in custody in another case – regarding the production of low-quality mortar shells. The SBU detained him at the end of April this year.
