The consistent counteraction against criminal offenses in the sphere of budget fund usage directed towards the needs of state defense continues. Prosecutors of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the field of defense ensure a principled position in investigating such crimes and defend the interests of the state in court, as every hryvnia from the budget must work towards strengthening the army and protecting Ukraine, rather than becoming prey for unscrupulous officials.

As a result of the work carried out, facts have already been established regarding damages to the state totaling nearly 60 million UAH.

Fraud in the procurement of electricity

Under the procedural guidance of prosecutors from the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the field of defense of the Office of the Prosecutor General, with the assistance of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the following individuals have been exposed and notified of suspicion:

      •    the director of a private enterprise under part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine;

      •    the former head of the housing and utility services under parts 2 and 4 of Article 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The investigation has established that, in the absence of a change in the price of electricity on the market, additional agreements were concluded to the contracts for the supply of electricity. These additional agreements unjustifiably increased the cost of electricity, resulting in damages to the state amounting to 25 million UAH.

Prosecutors from regional units of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the field of defense are also conducting procedural guidance in the following criminal proceedings:

Procurement of timber at inflated prices

A suspicion has been announced under part 4 of Article 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine against the commander of one of the military units. According to the investigation, due to his actions, timber was procured at significantly inflated prices, causing damages to the state in the amount of 25 million UAH.

False information in official documents

The pre-trial investigation against the commander and the chief of staff of the military unit has been completed. They intentionally provided false information in official documents, which led to the illegal payment of monetary compensation in the amount of 7.5 million UAH. An indictment under part 2 of Article 28 and part 4 of Article 426 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine has been sent to court.

Prosecutors pay special attention to crimes related to the embezzlement of military property, as this issue directly affects the lives and safety of soldiers.

Misappropriation of military property

•  An indictment has been sent under part 4 of Article 410 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine against the deputy commander of a military unit. He, abusing his official position, misappropriated a drone aviation complex worth over 210 thousand UAH.

• The pre-trial investigation has been completed regarding a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who stole a military transport vehicle worth 220 thousand UAH. An indictment has been sent to court under part 4 of Article 410 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The Office of the Prosecutor General will continue to work consistently to ensure that every hryvnia of budget funds is directed exclusively towards defense and support for Ukrainian soldiers.