In the course of a large-scale special operation in almost all regions of Ukraine, law enforcement officers conducted 70 searches and served 30 suspicions to officials over the embezzlement of UAH 138 million intended for the Armed Forces. The searches took place in the premises of structural units of territorial housing and maintenance departments and commercial enterprises in the western, central, southern and eastern regions.
This was reported by the Prosecutor General's Office.
‘Under the procedural guidance of specialised defence prosecutors, the Prosecutor General's Office, together with the State Bureau of Investigation, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, the Strategic Investigations Department, the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine and with the assistance of the leadership of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, conducted a large-scale special operation to expose the organisers and participants in criminal schemes to embezzle budget funds allocated for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The total amount of damage caused to the state is over UAH 138 million,’ the statement said.
Employees of housing and maintenance departments together with representatives of commercial structures in almost all regions of Ukraine were involved in the embezzlement. Some officials were also found to have negligent attitude to military service and illicit enrichment.
As a result of the investigation, 30 people were detained and served suspicion notices, including 15 members of organised criminal groups.
The officials are charged with embezzlement and misappropriation of funds during the procurement of fuel wood for defence purposes, electricity, natural gas, furniture for the army, construction works at military infrastructure facilities, as well as abuse of power or official position, negligence of military service, creation, leadership of a criminal community or criminal organisation, and participation in it.
