A scheme involving "humanitarian" vehicles for the Ukrainian Armed Forces was uncovered in Kharkiv
A car blogger has been detained in Kharkiv on suspicion of being involved in a scheme to import vehicles under the guise of humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the intention of subsequently selling them. According to the investigation, instead of transferring the vehicles to the military, they were sold through online channels, and some of the cars have already been seized. This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Law enforcement officials in Kharkiv reported the arrest of a local car blogger, who also headed a charitable foundation, and who is suspected of illegally importing and selling cars that were declared as aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, this involved a well-established scheme that allowed vehicles to be imported without paying customs duties by using the status of humanitarian cargo as a cover.
Investigators claim that between January 2024 and May 2026, the woman organized the systematic import of vehicles from European countries, registering them as humanitarian aid for the front lines; however, these vehicles were not actually transferred to the military but were sold to private buyers. According to investigators, the sales took place via a Telegram channel, where the vehicles were offered as regular merchandise, and the proceeds were likely embezzled.
The prosecutor’s office stated that the suspect personally coordinated the entire process—from purchasing the cars abroad to their delivery and subsequent sale in Ukraine. At least nine instances of car imports have been documented, including SUVs and minivans, with a total value exceeding 1.6 million UAH.
Separately, law enforcement officials are investigating the activities of a charitable foundation, which, according to the investigation, has 379 vehicles on its books. Their origin and actual purpose are currently being determined, as there are grounds to believe that not all of the vehicles were used for their stated purposes.
On May 12, the woman was detained, and during searches at the site where the vehicles were stored, six vehicles were seized. The issue of their seizure is currently being resolved.
The woman has been notified of suspicion under the article on smuggling goods on a large scale. Investigative actions are ongoing, and law enforcement officials are examining other possible incidents and channels for the sale of the vehicles.
Earlier, the SBU’s military counterintelligence, in cooperation with the State Bureau of Investigations, exposed another agent of the Russian special services within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The Security Service of Ukraine neutralized a Russian military intelligence agent in the Donetsk region who was planning shelling attacks on Kramatorsk and destroying property belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The SBU detained teenagers whom Russia had recruited for terrorist attacks in schools
The SBU also detained a Russian agent who was guiding airstrikes on Sloviansk.
As a reminder, the SBU has referred the case of Andriy Parubiy’s murder to court.
