Investigators and military counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) have gathered evidence of criminal activity by the former deputy head of the Ministry of Defense, who held this position from 2021 to 2023. SSU serves a notice of suspicion to the former deputy minister. He is suspected of embezzling state funds amounting to nearly 1 billion UAH.

This was reported by the SSU press service.

According to the case materials, in 2022, this official, in conspiracy with his subordinates, made a purchase of low-quality military uniforms from a private company for almost 1 billion UAH.

The investigation found that the Ukrainian Armed Forces could not use the specified uniform because it was unsuitable for use during the cold season and in the conditions of intensive combat operations.

Based on the collected evidence, the Security Service has notified the former Deputy Minister of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

  • Part 5 of Article 191 (misappropriation, mismanagement, or embezzlement of property through abuse of office);
  • Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 1 of Article 114-1 (obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations).

Under these articles, his accomplice, the former acting director of the Department of State Procurements of the Ministry of Defense, has also been notified of suspicion. Both perpetrators are currently in custody. They face a punishment of up to 12 years of imprisonment with property confiscation.

Briefly about the corruption scandal involving Minister Reznikov:

In 2023, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine held a tender to purchase 100,000 jackets for the military. The winner of the tender was the company “Aviabud,” which offered the lowest price of 1,000 UAH per jacket.

However, according to journalistic investigations, the jackets supplied by “Aviabud” were of poor quality, made from cheap materials and quickly deteriorated.

Minister Reznikov denied allegations of corruption. He stated that the jacket procurement was carried out in accordance with the law and that the quality of the product met the requirements. Oleksiy Reznikov was relieved of his position on September 3, 2023. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the decision to dismiss Reznikov was made due to a series of corruption scandals that shook the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Rustem Umyarov was appointed as the Minister of Defense of Ukraine.

Photo: SSU