By KYIV. Nov 6 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Security Service of Ukraine exposed the former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine engaged in embezzling almost UAH 1 billion when procuring winter military uniforms, the Security Service of Ukraine has reported.
“Investigators and military counterintelligence officers of the Security Service have collected evidence of the criminal activities of the ex-Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, who held this post from 2021 to 2023. He is suspected of embezzling public funds of almost UAH 1 billion,” the Security Service said in a statement on its Telegram channel on Monday.
According to the Ukrainian Security Service, in 2022, this official, having entered into a conspiracy with his subordinates, purchased low-quality military uniforms from a private company for almost UAH 1 billion.
“Investigators have established that the Armed Forces of Ukraine cannot use the specified uniform, since it is unsuitable for use in the cold season under conditions of intense combat operations,” the Security Service said.
Based on the collected materials, the Security Service investigators notified the former Deputy Minister of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part 5 of Article 191 (misappropriation, embezzlement of property or taking possession of it through abuse of official position), Part 2 of Article 28 and part 1 Article 114-1 (obstruction of the legitimate activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations).
The Security Service said that his accomplice, the former acting director of the Department of Public Procurement of the Ministry of Defense, was notified of suspicion under the same articles.
Currently, both offenders are in custody.
Complex activities were carried out under the procedural leadership of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the field of defense of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
The Security Service’s report does not indicate the name of the former deputy defense minister. As a source in law enforcement agencies told Interfax-Ukraine that this concerns Viacheslav Shapovalov.
