Head of financial supply for a Ukrainian Armed Forces brigade stole money intended for drone purchases

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and Bureau of Economic Security suspect the head of financial supply for a combat brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of embezzling funds intended for the purchase of drones used for aerial reconnaissance and targeting in the Kramatorsk area.

This was reported by the SBU press service.

According to investigators, the officer signed overpriced contracts with a company owned by a friend.

“To carry out the scheme, the brigade’s chief financial officer signed several contracts at inflated prices with his friend’s company. In just one documented episode, the suspects embezzled nearly 2 million hryvnias during a drone procurement deal. That money could have been used to purchase several more batches of reconnaissance UAVs,” the statement said.

A forensic economic examination, initiated by law enforcement, confirmed the embezzlement of state funds. During searches at the suspects’ workplaces and residences, authorities found documentation supporting the illicit scheme.

The suspects have been formally charged under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — misappropriation, embezzlement, or seizure of property through abuse of office. They face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.