Kherson reveals embezzlement in the supply of clothing for ambulance workers

Kherson is investigating a scheme to supply low-quality uniforms for emergency medical teams. The heads of a municipal medical institution and a private company, who could have acted together during the tenders, are under suspicion.

This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations.

According to the investigation, in February 2024, the management of the Regional Territorial Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine of the Kherson Regional Council announced a tender for the purchase of workwear for the crews. It was about demi-season suits, winter jackets and hats. The winner of the tender was Spicard LLC.

In March 2024, the OTsEMD and MC KhOR and Spicard LLC signed a supply contract No. 22:

• 170 demi-season suits (jackets and pants);
• 170 winter jackets;
• 170 sets of hats.

The contract provided for quality control of the goods and compliance with state standards, but, according to the investigation, these procedures were not actually carried out. Law enforcement officers believe that the clothes did not meet the DSTU and technical requirements, but they were accepted and paid for in full anyway. In April 2024, the company received UAH 1.1 million.

In August 2024, the Emergency Medicine Center announced another similar procurement. Once again, Spicard LLC won, and on August 26, contract No. 40 was signed. Under this contract, the company also received funds from the budget.

The investigation believes that in both cases, the same scheme was used: procurement of low-quality uniforms, formal acceptance and payment. The total amount that law enforcement officers believe was misappropriated exceeds UAH 3 million, which is classified as a particularly large amount.

The criminal proceedings are about a possible conspiracy between the management of Spicard LLC and officials of the OTTSEMD and MK of the Kherson Regional Council. The actions are classified under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - embezzlement of budget funds by abuse of office during martial law.

In August 2025, the director of Spicard LLC was notified of suspicion. In December, it was changed and the pre-trial investigation was completed, opening the case file to the defense.

The court granted the prosecutor's motion and extended the suspect's procedural obligations until January 4, 2026. She must not leave the city without permission, report any changes in her place of residence or work, appear when summoned by the investigation and the court, and hand over documents for traveling abroad. The ruling is not subject to appeal.

At the end of the year, the court approved a plea agreement in a case of embezzlement of budget funds. The case concerns the former acting head of the village of Bila Krynytsia, Serhiy Siriak, who signed documents about works that were not actually performed.

Анна Бальчінос