NABU, SSU reveal UAH 12 million tank protection procurement scheme (PHOTOS)

NABU and the SSU, under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General's Office, have exposed a scheme involving embezzlement of state funds during the procurement of dynamic protection elements for Ukrainian Armed Forces armored vehicles.

According to the investigation, during the intensive phase of russia's full-scale invasion in April 2022, an urgent need emerged to equip Ukrainian armored vehicles with dynamic protection elements. To address this need, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine signed a contract with a specialized state-owned enterprise.  

At the same time, the SOE's director, in collusion with the chief accountant, decided to misappropriate state funds by artificially inflating the costs associated with the contract's execution. Moreover, despite having the necessary components, they forged documentation of their alleged purchase from a commercial entity, which enabled the illegal payment of public funds to that company.

The scheme caused losses to the state worth nearly UAH 12 million, which was transferred to controlled accounts for further laundering.

Five members of the organized group have been notified of suspicion 

Their actions fall under Part 5 Art. 191, Part 2 Art. 366, Part 3 Art. 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The director and chief accountant of the state-owned enterprise are currently abroad, while the director of the fictitious supplier has been detained under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.