Million-hryvnia aviation tires corruption scheme: new suspects

NABU and SAPO, in cooperation with the SSU, have served a notice of suspicion to a sitting MP's aide and the owner of a private company in a criminal proceeding concerning the misappropriation of funds from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine totaling over UAH 27 million.

According to the investigation, heads of two structural units of the Central Support Directorate for Aviation and Air Defense of the Armed Forces Logistics Command abused their offices to benefit a private company, ensuring its victory in tenders for the procurement of aviation components. With the officials’ facilitation, bids from a pre-selected group of participants came in for consideration, creating the illusion of competitive bidding. Meanwhile, more favorable offers from another participant were either deliberately distorted or entirely disregarded.

The interests of the "preferred" company were lobbied by an aide to a sitting MP, who, after the company’s victory, ensured the MoD's smooth payment under the awarded contracts.

As part of the scheme, the company's owner, through a controlled and EU-registered entity, purchased military aviation tires directly from manufacturers and resold them via the Ukrainian company at inflated prices.

As a result, the Logistics Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine overpaid UAH 27.3 million. The participants of the scheme subsequently laundered these funds and used them at their discretion.

The actions of the company’s owner fall under Part 5 Article 191 and Part 3 Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The MP's aide is charged under Part 5 Article 27 and Part 5 Article 191 of the Criminal Code.

Two other participants in the crime—a current and a former officer of the Logistics Forces—were served with suspicion notices in November 2024.