The investigation has established facts of abuse of official powers in a military unit in Khmelnytskyi region, accompanied by illegal receipt of funds, pressure on military personnel, and other serious consequences.

Prosecutors of the Khmelnytskyi Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the field of defense of the Western region have sent an indictment to the court regarding a criminal organization, which included officials of the military unit and their subordinate military personnel.

According to the investigation materials, a system of "extortion" operated in the brigade during 2023-2024. It was organized by the deputy commander of the military unit, involving six other subordinates: the commander of the material support group, the deputy chief of logistics, three drivers, and a workshop employee. 

In case of refusal to participate, the organizer threatened to send them to the most dangerous sections of the front. 

Using his official position, the organizer ensured that the participants in the scheme received illegal monetary payments allegedly for service in the area of combat operations. They gave half of the received funds to the organizer. Some were illegally granted additional combat payments. The total losses to the state amounted to 5.3 million UAH. 

Later, in March 2025, one of the accomplices – the deputy chief of logistics – could not withstand the pressure and committed suicide. In a suicide note, he accused the organizer of the scheme. 

In June 2024, one of the military personnel reported the corruption and provided evidence in the form of 1.5 million UAH, which the participants of the scheme had collected for the deputy commander of the military unit.

Upon learning of this, the command attempted to cover up the crime: the military was declared wanted allegedly due to a service-related issue and was unjustly accused of weapon theft. Additionally, the deputy commander threatened him and his family with murder and intended to abduct the military personnel.

Law enforcement documented the illegal actions and informed the participants of the criminal organization of their suspicions. 

The deputy commander is charged under part 3 of article 255, part 4 of article 28 part 5 of article 191, part 4 of article 28 part 5 of article 426-1, part 4 of article 28 part 1 of article 366, part 4 of article 27 part 4 of article 28 part 4 of article 409, part 4 of article 410, part 2 of article 15 part 2 of article 146, part 4 of article 28 part 2 of article 129 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

During searches, 101.1 thousand US dollars, almost 200 thousand UAH, as well as ammunition and firearms, which the military was unjustly accused of stealing, were seized from him.

The property of the suspect, acquired after 2022, has been seized to ensure compensation for the damages incurred. The legality of assets worth over 14 million UAH is being verified, including two apartments in Odesa and Khmelnytskyi, two plots of land in a resort area, a garage, a car, and securities. Over 7 million UAH in various currencies has already been transferred to the management of ARMA. 

The actions of the commander of the material support group have been qualified under part 3 of article 255, part 5 of article 191, part 1 of article 366, part 4 of article 409, part 5 of article 426-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, and four soldiers under part 2 of article 255, part 5 of article 191, part 4 of article 409 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Territorial Administration of the State Bureau of Investigation in Khmelnytskyi.

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.