Mykolaiv region exposes scheme of fuel theft for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation exposed a scheme to embezzle fuel allocated for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, when officials drained and sold diesel at reduced prices to local farmers. Since the beginning of 2025, more than 13,000 liters of fuel have been sold, and funds were seized from the suspects during the arrest.

This was reported by the press service of the State Bureau of Investigation.

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation exposed a criminal scheme that involved the diversion of fuel allocated for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The head of the fuel storage department in one of the military units of Mykolaiv region, together with his subordinate, systematically sold diesel fuel that was supposed to be used for the army.

To avoid detection, the fuel was labeled with red dye, but this did not stop the offenders. They sold it to local farmers at half the market price: 25 hryvnias per liter with dye and 28 hryvnias without.

Since the beginning of 2025, according to preliminary data, the suspects have sold more than 13 thousand liters of fuel. On May 7, they were detained while transferring UAH 125,000 for another batch of 5,000 liters.

The defendants are suspected of stealing military property under martial law by prior conspiracy. The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to 15 years.

At the same time, the issue of choosing a measure of restraint and removal from office is being decided. The State Bureau of Investigation is establishing the full list of persons involved in the scheme. The Mykolaiv Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office of the Southern Region is providing procedural guidance.

The former head of the food service of a military unit in Kherson region was notified of suspicion for purchasing bread at prices significantly higher than market prices. As a result of the fraud, the budget lost more than a million hryvnias - the contract was concluded with an entrepreneur who supplied products at more than 9 hryvnias more expensive than the average price.

Another military officer - a lieutenant colonel from a unit stationed in Odesa region - used his subordinates for private purposes. Instead of performing combat missions, he ordered them to repair his own apartment. His actions were documented and stopped by SBI detectives.

Анна Бальчінос