Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation reported suspicions against the head of the fuel and lubricants service of one of the military units in Mykolaiv region, who was constantly stealing fuel for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the investigation, he started stealing back in 2020 and did not stop even during the Russian invasion. At times, the official invented fictitious activities to write off fuel or only 'provided' fuel to units on paper. To avoid suspicion, he even reported to the leadership about a 'shortage' of more than 650 tons of fuel and initiated an investigation, hoping to cover up the shortfall. However, the DBR found that the official was appropriating significant amounts of resources.
'To divert suspicion, he himself reported to the leadership about the 'shortage' of more than 650 tons of fuel and initiated an official investigation, hoping that this would allow him to cover up the shortfall. However, the DBR conducted its own audit and revealed large-scale appropriation of resources by the official,' the Bureau reported.
The losses to the state amount to over 24 million hryvnias.
Details of the case and accountability measures
The official has been charged with:
- Part 3 of Article 410 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (appropriation of military property on a large scale),
- Part 4 of Article 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (loss of military property in particularly large amounts).
The court has chosen a preventive measure of detention with removal from office for him. The DBR is also establishing the circle of possible accomplices and taking measures to recover the damages incurred.
The sanctions of the articles provide for punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to 10 years.
The crimes of the official from Mykolaiv region, who embezzled fuel for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, had serious consequences for military units and the state as a whole. The actions of the suspect demonstrate serious violations of trust and military discipline, making the case significant for the military security of Ukraine.