Evgeny Borisov Under Scrutiny in Major Probe
On June 10, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) initiated urgent investigative actions targeting Evgeny Borisov, the former head of the Odesa Regional Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support. Borisov is implicated in four criminal cases, including one involving the laundering of illegally obtained funds totaling 142,927,001 Ukrainian hryvnias. He has been detained, and a court initially set bail at 150 million hryvnias, later reduced to 12 million hryvnias. This case highlights ongoing efforts to address corruption within military administrative bodies in Ukraine.
Charges and Current Status
The investigation unfolds amid allegations that Borisov attempted to secure a disability classification while in pretrial detention. In 2023, he was already arrested and placed in custody. The Prymorsky District Court in Odesa is handling two cases linked to his actions:
- unauthorized abandonment of a duty station;
- obstruction of lawful activities by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
He has been officially notified of suspicion for organizing the laundering of criminally obtained property on an especially large scale, under Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Borisov was re-arrested upon leaving the detention facility. Over the past nine months, his defense team worked to obtain Form No. 088/o, required for referral to a medical-social expert commission. Notably, Borisov was discharged from the Armed Forces for health reasons and removed from military registration.
Investigative journalists reported in 2023 that Borisov's family acquired real estate and vehicles in Spain worth millions of U.S. dollars, including a mansion and an office registered to his mother and wife. This raised further questions about the legality of the funding sources for these purchases. Borisov has now spent approximately 15 months in pretrial detention, underscoring the gravity of the allegations against him.
The case of Evgeny Borisov highlights persistent issues of corruption and money laundering in Ukraine, particularly within military structures. His arrest and prolonged detention signal a heightened focus by law enforcement on combating illegal financial schemes. The investigation may also shape public perceptions of the social welfare system and veteran support services, as questions about the legitimacy of disability claims draw significant societal attention.
As the investigation into Evgeny Borisov intensifies, it is essential to consider other significant cases impacting Ukraine's security landscape. Recently, the Ukrainian Security Service has also taken decisive action by sending the case of propagandist Korchevnikov to court, reflecting a broader commitment to combating corruption and misinformation. For more insights on this development, see the latest updates on the Korchevnikov case.