The investigation into the fraud within the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has been completed.

This was reported by SAP and NABU.

They opened materials from the investigation concerning the misappropriation of state funds during the procurement of food for the Armed Forces of Ukraine amid the ongoing war. After the defense reviews these materials, the case will be forwarded to court.

The investigation revealed that from 2022 to 2023, food for the army was purchased in so-called sets from a catalog containing 409 items. Common items like potatoes and meat made up only 10% of the orders, while others, like spices, were rarely ordered.

The price of the set was determined based on all catalog items, allowing suppliers to manipulate prices. Consequently, the products delivered had inflated prices.

As a result of these schemes, two supplying companies controlled by a single owner illegally gained over UAH 733 million in profits. These funds were later withdrawn as dividends or financial assistance to affiliated companies.

A Ministry of Defense official is implicated in the crime, having overlooked price anomalies while signing contracts.

Following the initiation of the investigation in January 2023, the accomplices reduced prices on 11 essential products, saving UAH 788 million from the budget.

Current suspects include:

• the former head of the department;
• the owner of the supplier companies;
• two company executives;
• individuals.

Charges include: part 5 of article 191 (embezzlement), part 2 of article 15 part 5 of article 191 (attempted embezzlement), part 3 of article 209 (money laundering) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Materials regarding other contracts from this period have been allocated to a separate case, which is ongoing. SAP and NABU continue to identify additional individuals involved in these criminal activities.

Disclaimer: A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.