The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has announced suspicion regarding the embezzlement of millions in procurements by the recently dismissed leadership of the State Special Communications Service

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine has issued suspicion notices to the recently dismissed leadership of the State Special Communications Service and Information Protection of Ukraine. Former head of the agency, Yuriy Shchyhol, and his former deputy, Viktor Zhora, received these suspicions.

This information reported by the press service of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office uncovered an organized group within the leadership of the State Special Communications Service and Information Protection of Ukraine. This group allegedly misappropriated state funds amounting to more than 62 million hryvnias (around 1.6 million euros).

The investigation revealed that between 2020 and 2022, the owner of a group of companies conspired with the leadership of the State Special Communications Service and Information Protection of Ukraine to devise a scheme for embezzling budget funds allocated for the purchase of equipment and software. They involved two controlled companies and kept the procurement secret to avoid open tenders, ensuring their victory. The state enterprise under the authority of the State Special Communications Service and Information Protection of Ukraine entered into contracts with these companies for the supply of the corresponding software and services, transferring over 285 million hryvnias (approximately 7.3 million euros) in 2021-2022.

However, the actual cost of the software purchased from a foreign manufacturer amounted to 223 million hryvnias, with the participants pocketing the difference of over 62 million hryvnias. These funds were transferred to the accounts of the controlled companies abroad for the purpose of legalization and distribution among the members of the organized group.

Subsequently, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dismissed Yuriy Shchyhol from the position of Chairman of the State Special Communications Service and Information Protection of Ukraine, as well as his deputy, Viktor Zhora. The government’s telegram channel announced their dismissals.