Focus rating: The most loudest cases of thefts on Ukrainian defenders during the war

According to focus, one of the most scandalous corruption investigations in 2023 was the case of buying eggs and other foodstuffs for military at high prices. Focus published the rating "The war of theft was not obstructed: the top 15 scandalous corruption cases in Ukraine in 2023", where special attention was paid to cases of theft on Ukrainian defenders in the midst of war.

The most loudest things were to buy food products for the military at inflated prices, ammunition that never received the Armed Forces, and ammunition from poor quality materials that were a threat to the lives of fighters.

A journalistic investigation, which released the facts of overestimation of prices during the purchase of food for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, attracted the attention of the National Anti -Corruption Bureau (NABU), the Specialized Anti -Corruption Prosecutor's Office (DBR) and the Prosecutor General's Office. Subsequently, detectives revealed multimillion -dollar corruption schemes in the Ministry of Defense, where food prices far exceeded their market value.

The reports showed that products were receiving income against the background of active hostilities. A detailed analysis revealed that the price of eggs, for example, increased from 7 to 17 hryvnias apiece, causing indignation of society and departmental bodies. NABU and DBR representatives found that many suppliers have systematically overstated the prices of products for military needs, using different mechanisms to conceal corruption schemes.

As a result of searches and analysis of financial documents, it was found that in the period from February 2022 to June 2023, unfair persons organized a criminal scheme and significantly overstated prices for various products for the Ministry of Defense. This led to significant budget losses against hostilities, and caused the dissatisfaction of society. The case is currently under investigation and there are no final court decisions.

However, the department has already taken a number of measures aimed at preventing such incidents in the future. In particular, marginal prices for products have been introduced and the DOT agency was created to be responsible for the purchase of food products for military needs. These steps are aimed at eliminating corruption risks and providing more transparent and effective purchases for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The investigation began in 2023 during the Ministry of Defense's audit, and the SBU suspicions were raised on January 27, 2024. The investigation journalistic, published in November 2023, claimed that the Defense Ministry had spent two billion hryvnias for three purchases for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, none of the agreements was executed and the goods were delivered to the military.

The investigation revealed a link between the Ministry of Defense and several companies, including Lviv Arsenal, WDG Promet and Sevotech. The SBU confirmed an attempt to theft of public funds for ammunition purchases. Officials concluded a contract for the purchase of articles, transferred the amount to the accounts of the enterprise, and then transferred some of the money to the accounts of a foreign structure. However, the ordered ammunition was never delivered.

One of the persons was detained while trying to leave the country and was in custody. Criminal proceedings were initiated by the results of the audit of the State Audit Service of Ukraine. In November 2023, journalists found that the Defense Ministry had concluded three purchases for the Armed Forces of Ukraine worth more than two billion hryvnias, but the goods were never delivered to the military.

The SBU has confirmed the facts of attempts by theft of public funds for ammunition purchases from August 2022. Some of the persons involved were detained and the investigation is ongoing. The focus rating also has a matter related to the lack of quality of helmets and bulletproof vests. The amount in this case reaches UAH 1. 4 billion. The former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine and the head of one of the departments of the Ministry of Defense are suspected.

The first suspicion was declared on February 1, 2023, and another - October 10, 2023. According to the DBR, the suspect, the Deputy Minister of Defense has already been released, is probably related to the purchase of bulletproof vests, helmets and other items for Ukrainian low quality Ukrainian servicemen in the amount of more than UAH 1 billion. The persons involved, according to the department, not only knew about the poor quality of products, but also forced to accept it.