The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has gathered irrefutable evidence implicating former CEO Serhiy Bychkov and the head of the aviation safety unit at the Antonov State Enterprise, Oleksandr Netyosov, whose actions led to the destruction of the AN-225 Mriya aircraft.
Law enforcers said that the actions of the former officials "led to the temporary seizure of a strategically important airfield during the battles for Kyiv and the destruction" of the aircraft.
According to the investigation, before Russia's full-scale invasion, the suspects did not allow the National Guard to enter the territory of the Hostomel airport to prepare for its defence.
In January-February 2022, the officials ordered to block the access of the Ukrainian military to the territory of the facility.
Investigators completed the pre-trial investigation and sent the indictment to court.
The suspects are charged under Part 2 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations). The defendants are currently in custody.
They face up to 15 years in prison.