Embezzled more than €91,000 meant for Ukraine’s Armed Forces: a group of pseudo-volunteers in Sumy will go on trial

Four residents of Ukraine’s Sumy region will stand trial for allegedly misappropriating 4.7 million hryvnias (€91,700) in charitable donations. The defendants collected money supposedly for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but spent part of the funds on jewelry and expensive restaurants.

The completion of the investigation was reported by the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Sumy region.

Investigators found that the charity had been operating since 2022. That was when a 27-year-old man became the head of the charitable organization. He launched large-scale fundraising campaigns on social media. Ukrainians donated what they could to help the Armed Forces, and the organizer then brought three acquaintances into the scheme. Their bank cards became the main “terminals” for receiving donations. The group did not sign any official agreements.

Over two years, the organizers publicly claimed they were helping the army and civilians. In total, people transferred more than 12.5 million hryvnias (almost €244,000) to them. The investigation established what it calls a shocking fact: nearly 4,685,000 hryvnias (€91,400) did not go to the front. The money was allegedly stolen and spent on personal needs—buying jewelry, visiting restaurants, and entertainment at other people’s expense.

The defendants’ lawyer has so far declined to comment on the accusations, saying a position will be presented in court.

A schedule has already appeared on the court’s official website: a preliminary hearing has been set for February 5. The suspects’ actions were classified as the illegal use of charitable donations on an especially large scale.

This is a serious charge. If found guilty, the men face 5 to 7 years in prison. The court may also confiscate all of their property.