Lviv businessmen and a former Ministry of Defense official suspected in a scheme to influence defense contracts worth UAH 1.84 billion
Kyiv • UNN
A former Ministry of Defense official and businessmen have been exposed in a UAH 1.84 billion scheme. They received contracts for the supply of equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in exchange for bribes.
Lviv businessmen and a former Ministry of Defense official are suspected of a scheme to influence the awarding of defense contracts worth over UAH 1.84 billion, for which, according to the investigation, they may have received illegal benefits. This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General, according to UNN.
Under the procedural guidance of prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General, two Lviv businessmen and a former official of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine have been notified of suspicion
According to the investigation, the entrepreneurs, who controlled a number of supplier companies for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, provided the former Ministry of Defense official with illegal benefits for influencing ministry officials. This concerned assistance in the approval, conclusion, advance payment, and execution of contracts with enterprises under their control.
The investigation established two episodes of providing illegal benefits: transfers of funds to the bank cards of related parties in the amount of UAH 150,000 and payment for accommodation, meals, and recreation at a sanatorium totaling over UAH 290,000. The total amount of the illegal benefit exceeded UAH 441,000.
The case materials contain correspondence between the suspects in which they discussed fund transfers, document approvals, the signing of agreements, and advance payments for contracts.
According to the investigation, the remuneration was provided for assistance in decision-making regarding at least five Ministry of Defense contracts with controlled companies for a total amount of over UAH 1.84 billion. These contracts involved the supply of bulletproof vests, helmets, winter clothing, and equipment for defense needs. Over UAH 1 billion in advances and payments were transferred to the benefit of the enterprises.
The Lviv businessmen are charged with providing illegal benefits for influencing decision-making by officials, and the former Ministry of Defense official is charged with receiving such benefits.
Addendum
Furthermore, since January 2024, the businessmen have been in custody as part of another criminal proceeding regarding the embezzlement of over UAH 1 billion during the supply of low-quality products for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. One of them is also accused of providing an illegal benefit to an official of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).