Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office reports it has completed the pre-trial investigation and sent an indictment to the High Anti-Corruption Court against ex-Defense Ministry officials and representatives of a private company. They are accused of stealing millions of dollars in a large military procurement scheme. 

Case details

According to Ukrainian prosecutors, in August 2022, the officials, together with representatives of the enterprise, concluded a state contract to purchase 100,000 mortar rounds.

The full contract, amounting to over $36 million, was transferred, but the supplier delayed delivery, while the required weapons have never reached the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Crime classification

The actions of the accused individuals have been qualified under Part 5, Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which is misappropriation of another’s property on an especially large scale, committed by an organized group.

Details regarding two other suspects were separated into individual proceedings due to their being at large.

Investigation and oversight

The pre-trial investigation was conducted by the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine with operational support from the SBU’s Department for the Protection of National Statehood.