Mykolaiv Official Accused of Corruption in 2.3 Million Defense Scam

A military official in Mykolaiv is at the center of a corruption scandal. He was accused of misappropriating more than UAH 2.3 million allocated for defense needs.

According to the State Bureau of Investigation, the head of the Mykolaiv Housing and Maintenance Department was notified of being suspected.

According to the investigation, the official was supposed to purchase fuel wood for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but used the scheme for personal enrichment. The wood was actually purchased from forestry enterprises of the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" at reduced prices for the local population, and then resold to the UEU through fictitious companies at twice the price.

To compensate for the losses caused to the state, the suspect's property was seized.

He is charged with embezzlement of another's property by abuse of office by prior conspiracy by a group of persons under martial law, which is qualified under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The article provides for up to 12 years of imprisonment.

The issue of a preventive measure and removal from office is currently being decided. The case is under the supervision of the Mykolaiv Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office of the Southern Region.

Андрій Колісніченко