A case involving millions in payments for fictitious fights has gone to court in the Odesa region

Two former deputy commanders of a Territorial Defense Forces battalion have been charged with abuse of office and document forgery. According to the investigation, they helped illegally pay military personnel compensation for their alleged participation in combat missions.

This was reported by the press service of the Odesa Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Defense Affairs in the Southern Region.

They are charged with abuse of office and forgery of official documents.

According to the investigation, between 2025 and 2026, while serving as deputy battalion commanders of the Regional Directorate of the Territorial Defense Forces, both suspects prepared and signed reports containing false information. The documents stated that subordinate military personnel had allegedly participated in combat missions.

PHOTO: vppdr.gp.gov.ua

Based on these reports, 19 military personnel were awarded the “Defender’s Bonus,” an additional monetary reward. However, as investigators determined, these servicemembers were not actually present in the areas where the relevant combat missions were being carried out.

As a result, over 1 million hryvnias were unjustifiably paid out of the state budget. During the pretrial investigation, the losses incurred by the state were fully compensated—both defendants returned the illegally obtained funds to the budget.

The criminal case has now been referred to court, where it will be heard on its merits. Previously, one of the defendants was ordered to be held in pretrial detention with the option of posting bail, which he exercised.

If found guilty under the charges brought against them, the men could face up to six years in prison.

Recently, a case in Odesa against a former official and the director of a private company for forging documents related to procurements for the Armed Forces of Ukraine was dismissed.

Анна Літман