SBU detained operators who supplied the National Guard of Ukraine with defective combat shirts worth more than 8 million...

SBU detained operators who supplied the National Guard of Ukraine with defective combat shirts worth more than 8 million UAH

Military counterintelligence and investigators of the Security Service, with the assistance of the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, dismantled a large-scale scheme for embezzling defense funds.

As a result of joint actions, two entrepreneurs were detained in Kyiv who supplied substandard uniform clothing to NGU units for a total amount of more than 8,6 million hryvnias.

The investigation found that this involved a wholesale batch of combat shirts that did not meet the product’s technical specifications and were unsuitable for performing official duties at the front.

To carry out the scheme, the organizers offered a bribe to an official of the Central Supply Base of the National Guard, who was supposed to “turn a blind eye” to the delivery of defective goods.

But after receiving the “offer,” the serviceman immediately reported it to his superiors, which made it possible to expose the suspects in advance.

SBU officers documented the criminals’ actions and detained them “red-handed” while attempting to transfer the unlawful benefit to the officer.

According to the case materials, the illegal activity was organized by the former founder of a capital-based manufacturer of military equipment and a representative of that company.

It was established that in August of this year they concluded a contract with the National Guard to supply 10 thousand combat shirts.

However, instead of manufacturing uniform clothing in accordance with the declared quality standards, the operators decided to ship products that did not meet military uniform requirements to the NGU.

In addition, the suspects delivered an incomplete batch of goods to the customers.

During searches at the workplaces, residences, and in the vehicles of the detainees, more than 3,5 million UAH was found, as well as mobile phones and documents containing evidence of the crimes.

Investigators of the Security Service notified the former company founder and its representative of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

▪️ part 1 art. 114-1 (obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations);

▪️ part 3 art. 369 (offering, promising, or giving an unlawful benefit to an official, committed by prior conspiracy of a group of persons).

The offenders are in custody. They face up to 8 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Comprehensive measures were carried out under the procedural guidance of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.