Ukrainian Senior Lieutenant Faces Charges for Service Evasion and Fraud Amounting to Nearly 250,000 Hryvnias

Senior Lieutenant of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Accused of Fraud

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: A senior lieutenant in the Ukrainian Armed Forces is under investigation for allegedly evading military duties and committing fraud. Instead of undergoing the officially documented inpatient treatment at a military medical facility, she reportedly spent time in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and the Odesa region. During this period, she participated in filming the culinary competition show 'MasterChef' and illicitly received payments, causing losses to the state totaling close to 250,000 hryvnias.

Details of the Investigation and Charges

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is conducting inquiries under two articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code. The suspect faces allegations under Part 4 of Article 409 for deceitfully avoiding military service amid martial law, and Part 3 of Article 190 related to fraud committed during martial law that resulted in substantial damage. Authorities are also examining whether other individuals assisted in securing payments without actual medical treatment.

Victoria Kuznetsova is believed to be the accused in this case. Originating from Kolomyia, she has served as a navigator in the Ukrainian Armed Forces since 2015. In August 2026, the SBI launched an operation targeting servicemembers who officially remain on duty but unlawfully claim benefits. Previously, law enforcement uncovered a group suspected of misappropriating Ukrainian Armed Forces drones, detaining 16 suspects.

The pre-trial process is ongoing, and under Article 62 of the Ukrainian Constitution, the accused remains presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court verdict.

In a past interview, Victoria Kuznetsova shared: 'I lived most of my life in Kharkiv. Since 2015, I have served as a navigator in the Armed Forces. Now, I dream of opening my own bakery with a concept centered on "bread, butter, coffee."'

This case highlights the critical need to combat corruption and fraudulent activities within military ranks, especially during martial law. The State Bureau of Investigation continues its vigorous efforts to expose crimes that drain public funds and undermine trust in the military. Given the recent rise in such incidents, the public closely watches the proceedings, hoping for justice and the restoration of integrity within Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

The ongoing scrutiny of fraudulent activities within the Ukrainian Armed Forces is not limited to the recent case of a senior lieutenant. Similarly, a Kyiv lawyer faces serious allegations involving bribery and false employment claims, shedding light on a broader pattern of corruption. For more insights into this troubling trend, you can read about the lawyer's case here.