Over the past two weeks, prosecutors of Specialized Prosecutor's Offices in the Field of Defense of the Prosecutor General’s Office have been conducting procedural supervision of pre-trial investigations, according to which the facts of causing losses to the state in the amount of hundreds of millions of hryvnias have been established. During this period, prosecutors notified 16 military officials of suspicion and sent indictments against 12 people to trial.

Among the suspects: the former head of the Procurement Department of the Ministry of Defense, commanders of military units, heads of services and heads of private enterprises. They operated in different regions and different areas of provision for the army, but the consequences of their actions were the same – million losses for the state and a threat to the proper provision of military personnel. The total losses for the state exceed UAH 248 million.

The facts of supply the Armed Forces of Ukraine with low-quality uniforms have been established; procurement of low-quality software; illegal write-off and theft of diesel fuel; fraud with food for the military; illegal payment of rewards.

The first of the established facts concerns the procurement of the Ministry of Defense. The former head of the Procurement Department was notified of suspicion under part 4 of Art 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. According to the investigation, due to his improper performance of official duties, servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were given uniforms of inadequate quality for a total amount of more than UAH 230 million.

Other criminal proceedings are related to digital technology. The commander of one of the military units is charged with official negligence, which led to the procurement of software unsuitable for military use. Losses amounted to UAH 1.8 million. He was notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Art 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Another criminal proceeding concerns the illegal write-off and theft of diesel fuel in the amount of UAH 1.7 million. Prosecutors notified of suspicion the commander of the military unit, the deputy head of the rear and the commander of the provision company, who organized the illegal write-off and theft of diesel fuel in the amount of more than UAH 1.7 million. The actions of these persons are qualified under part 2 of Art. 28, part 1 of Art. 114-1 and part 4 of Art. 410 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Significant violations were also recorded in the field of food provision. According to the investigation, the director of a private enterprise misappropriated UAH 8 million of budget funds, supplying the military with products of inadequate quality. She was notified of the suspicion under part 5 of Art. 190 and part 4 of Art. 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Separately, a pre-trial investigation has been completed regarding the chief of staff of a military unit. He allowed illegal payment of almost UAH 5 million in additional remuneration to servicemen who did not participate in combat operations. An indictment under part 4 of Article 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine has been sent to trial.

Everyone, regardless of the position or rank held, will bear the responsibility provided for by law, which guarantees compliance with legality in the field of defense and builds trust in state institutions.