Businessmen and former Defense Ministry officials are suspected of influencing defense contracts worth nearly ₴2 billion
Two Lviv businessmen and a former official of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense have been notified of their status as suspects in a case involving an alleged corruption scheme to influence defense contracts.
According to the investigation, the businessmen, who controlled a number of companies supplying the Armed Forces of Ukraine, may have provided the former Ministry of Defense official with unlawful benefits in exchange for influencing decision-making within the ministry, specifically regarding the approval, conclusion, advance payment, and execution of government contracts.
The investigation has established two instances of the transfer of unlawful benefits: the transfer of funds to the bank cards of related individuals in the amount of 150,000 UAH, and the payment for accommodation, meals, and recreation at a health resort totaling over 290,000 UAH.
According to the investigation, the total amount of illicit benefits exceeds 441,000 UAH.
The case file also contains correspondence between the suspects discussing fund transfers, document approvals, contract signings, and contract advances.
According to the investigation, the illicit benefits were provided in exchange for facilitating decisions regarding at least five contracts between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and affiliated companies totaling over 1.84 billion UAH.
This involves the supply of:
- body armor;
- helmets;
- winter clothing;
- other military equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In total, over 1 billion hryvnias in advance payments and payments were transferred under the contracts.
The Lviv businessmen are accused of providing improper benefits to influence decision-making by public officials, while the former Ministry of Defense official is accused of receiving improper benefits.
It is also noted that since January 2024, the suspected businessmen have been in custody as part of another proceeding regarding the possible embezzlement of over 1 billion hryvnias during the supply of substandard products to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. One of them is also charged in a case involving the provision of an unlawful benefit to an official of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine: “A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law.”
This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
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Internal and internal security officers of the State Border Guard Service, together with other law enforcement agencies, have halted the illegal sale of vehicles that were imported from the EU under the guise of humanitarian aid.
