Defense corruption: embezzlement scheme for armored vehicle parts exposed (PHOTOS)

NABU and SAPO have exposed a large-scale scheme involving the embezzlement of military property, implicating the deputy commander of a military unit in the Kharkiv region.

The investigation established that between 2022 and 2024, a group of companies and private entrepreneurs, effectively controlled by two individuals, supplied state defense enterprises with armored vehicle spare parts worth over UAH 350 million.

However, there were no legal sources of origin for these goods. Furthermore, a portion of the supplied property had previously been stored at a military unit in the Kharkiv region. It was written off at the start of the full-scale invasion as allegedly destroyed by russian missile and bomb strikes.

The execution of the criminal scheme was facilitated by the deputy commander of the military unit. The official systematically evaded his duties regarding the accounting and safekeeping of the military property entrusted to him.

In return, he received an undue benefit from the scheme's organizer amounting to at least UAH 2.8 million. The bribe was provided covertly — by paying for household appliances, construction materials, and other goods for the former official's personal use.

Currently, notices of suspicion have been served to:

• the former deputy commander of the military unit — Part 5 of Art. 27, Part 4 of Art. 410 (embezzlement of military property), Part 4 of Art. 368 (acceptance of an undue benefit), and Art. 366-3 (failure to declare assets) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine;
• the organizer of the scheme — Part 3 of Art. 369 (offering an undue benefit) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The investigation is ongoing. Other potential participants in the crime are being identified.