Another corruption scandal in Ukraine hits air force and SBU

Ukrainian law enforcement authorities have uncovered alleged corruption involving the logistics commander of the Ukrainian Air Force and the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in the Zhytomyr region in connection with the construction of aircraft shelters.

The case was reported by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko on Facebook, according to Ukrayinska Pravda. The news outlet named the suspects as Colonel Andriy Ukrayinets and Colonel Volodymyr Kompaniichenko.

Last May, a decision was taken to allocate the equivalent of €27.4 million for the construction of prefabricated arched structures. However, checks by the SBU’s military counter-intelligence unit found that the projects did not meet security requirements, the structures failed to provide adequate protection for the air force, and the costs were significantly inflated. Despite this, advance payments were allegedly made.

According to investigators, officials offered around €255,000 in an attempt to halt the inspections and conceal the alleged embezzlement. A contractual partner was also said to have been involved, with plans to use ‘loyal’ auditors to produce fictitious assessments.

On Wednesday, the suspects were detained while attempting to transfer illicit funds, and authorities seized the equivalent of €270,000.

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