National Guard colonels are suspected of embezzling €238.7 thousand in “combat” payments

In a National Guard military unit in Dnipropetrovsk region, a scheme involving illegal “combat” payments was uncovered. The damage reached nearly 12 million hryvnias (€238,700).

On March 30 and 31, two colonels — the former commander and the first deputy commander of the unit — were notified of suspicion. They are accused of negligent attitude toward military service under martial law, which led to grave consequences.

In March 2025, the officials paid 164 servicemen additional remuneration for “combat missions” allegedly carried out from December 2024 through February 2025. In reality, those strongpoints had not been held.

A forensic economic examination confirmed the damage at 11.9 million hryvnias.

The prosecution secured the return of the excess funds. The suspects were placed under a preventive measure in the form of a personal recognizance obligation.

The scheme was uncovered during an internal investigation by the Central Territorial Directorate of the National Guard, the source said.