In Sumy region, eight individuals have been notified of suspicion for embezzling funds that were intended for the purchase of drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, in June 2023, a serviceman gathered around him officials from several communities and affiliated individual entrepreneurs to implement the scheme.

They forged documents on behalf of the military unit, including contracts, invoices, and letters of request supposedly for the purchase of quadcopters. Based on these "documents," over 15.6 million UAH was transferred from the accounts of four communities.

No actual delivery of equipment took place. The received money was embezzled and laundered through financial operations.

Depending on their actions, the group members have been notified of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 191, Part 2 of Article 209, Parts 1 and 2 of Article 366, and Parts 3 and 4 of Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Prosecutors from the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the defense sector of the Central region have applied to the court for a preventive measure against them.

The suspects face a penalty of imprisonment for a term of seven to twelve years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years, and confiscation of property.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted under the procedural guidance of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the defense sector of the Central region by investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine, with operational support from the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine.

Recall that previously, prosecutors from the Ivano-Frankivsk District Prosecutor's Office in Lviv sent an indictment to the court against the head of a charitable foundation in Lviv and a resident of Ternopil region, who defrauded military personnel and volunteers of 2.2 million UAH.

Note: according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.