Prosecutors have completed a pre-trial investigation into an organised group which, investigators say, unlawfully awarded servicemen more than UAH 9m in additional payments. An indictment against those involved in the scheme has been sent to court.
The Prosecutor General’s Office reported this.
According to the investigation, the scheme was organised by the commander of a military unit carrying out tasks in Donetsk region. He involved subordinates in the illegal activity and assigned roles among them.
Those accused include the unit commander, the chief of staff, the deputy commander, the commander of the technical support platoon, and other servicemen.
From January 2023 to November 2024, investigators say, they entered false information into reports and other official documents about servicemen’s direct participation in combat operations and measures to ensure Ukraine’s defence.
On the basis of these documents, orders were issued to pay additional bonuses. The unit commander signed them, after which the documents were forwarded to the financial and economic service for the funds to be calculated.
As a result, servicemen were unjustifiably paid more than UAH 9m. Investigators say the money was then distributed among members of the organised group.
The prosecutor, acting in the interests of the military unit, filed a civil claim seeking compensation for more than UAH 9m in losses caused to the state.
The accused’s property has been seized. At the same time, they have already repaid UAH 1.6m.
The suspects’ actions were classified under Parts 2, 3 and 5 of Article 27; Part 3 of Article 28; Part 2 of Article 364; and Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, as organising, co-perpetration and aiding and abetting abuse of office as part of an organised group, as well as official forgery.
Under Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven by a court’s conviction.