Stefanchuk awarded an honorary title to former lawmaker Zbitnev, who had requested permission to travel abroad

Yuriy Zbitnev, a former member of parliament and director of Lviv Arsenal LLC, asked the High Anti-Corruption Court to allow him to travel abroad on a business trip. The trip would last one month—from October 1 to October 30. The court denied the motion, citing, among other reasons, the risk that he might abscond from the court.

According to the court registry, the defense attempted to justify the necessity of the trip, citing, among other things, the honorary title and badge “Founder of the Modern State of Ukraine,” which Yuriy Zbitnev had received.

He received this award from Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk during a ceremonial session of parliament marking the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine.

“On August 24, 2026, Yuriy Zbitnev acquired the official status of ‘Founder of the Modern State of Ukraine,’ which is a new and significant characteristic of the defendant, confirming his enduring public, legal, and social ties to Ukraine,” the defendant’s attorney argued before the court.

According to the case file, Yuriy Zbitnev planned to travel abroad to inspect and test-fire ammunition ordered by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

During the court hearing, Zbitnev explained that the Croatian company WDG Promet had received a 12 million euro advance payment from the Ministry of Defense but had failed to fulfill the defense contract and had not returned the funds received.

In this regard, Lviv Arsenal LLC, which acts as an intermediary between the foreign company and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, is taking steps to obtain the ordered goods.

At the same time, the High Anti-Corruption Court took into account the risk that the defendant might abscond from justice if he were to leave Ukraine.

Yuriy Zbitnev is charged under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—with embezzlement of another person’s property on an especially large scale.

The court noted that if found guilty under this article, Zbitnev could face seven to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The High Anti-Corruption Court also noted that imposing a suspended or probationary sentence for criminal offenses of this category, which are classified as corruption-related, is not possible.

Consequently, the High Anti-Corruption Court did not permit Yuriy Zbitnev to travel abroad on his planned business trip, despite the defense’s arguments regarding the nature of the trip and his ties to Ukraine.

This is reported in the court registry.

As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously awarded state honors to 135 defenders of Ukraine, 77 of them posthumously.

Prior to this, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees No. 317/2026 and No. 318/2026 awarding state honors to more than 1,000 Ukrainian military personnel, some of whom received the honors posthumously.

In addition, Zelenskyy awarded scholarships to the children of journalists who were killed in the line of duty.

Zelenskyy honored 34 Ukrainians on Volunteer Day.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored 362 military personnel with state awards, 176 of them posthumously. The awards were granted for courage, dedication, and the defense of the country’s sovereignty. Among the honors are orders, medals, and the “Cross of Military Merit.”