USD 1 million for unimpeded supply of drones: two suspects

NABU and SAPO have exposed an official of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the owner of a private drone manufacturing company for demanding an especially large bribe.

According to the investigation, in August 2025, an SBGS military unit initiated the procurement of a batch of unmanned aerial systems. A private company offering to supply the required equipment for UAH 825 million was admitted to the negotiation procedure.

During the procurement process, the owner of a competing UAV manufacturing firm contacted the company's director. Citing alleged prior agreements with the SBGS Administration, he asked the director not to lower the price of the drones, claiming his own company was predetermined to win the bid.

However, the director submitted an updated commercial offer with a reduced price, allowing his company to win the contract.

Realizing their initial plan had been thwarted, the competitor's owner, acting in collusion with border guard officials, began extorting the winner. He stated that a USD 1 million bribe was required to ensure the smooth signing of the contract and the subsequent acceptance of the equipment by SBGS officials. He planned to split the money with the border guards.

To convince the director to pay the bribe, a phone call was arranged with an SBGS representative, who confirmed that all demands were coordinated with the agency's Administration.

The owner of the competing company and the SBGS official have been served with notices of suspicion. Their actions fall under Part 4 Article 27 and Part 4 Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The investigation is ongoing to identify other individuals possibly involved in the crime.