The scheme caused over ₴5 million ($130,000) in damages to the state.
“The brigade illegally issued combat bonuses to servicemembers who were not actually performing their duties,” the statement reads.
In December 2024, the Brigade’s deputy commander — who allegedly created the extortion scheme — was charged.
In January 2025, a co-conspirator, the brigade’s logistics officer, was detained.
Investigators say the suspects formed a stable criminal group of seven servicemembers, including three drivers and a repair shop technician. These soldiers reportedly did not report for duty for months but regularly handed over part of their illicitly received bonuses to brigade leadership.
Following orders from the deputy commander, their names were added to deployment rosters for frontline duty to justify the extra pay, according to investigators.
“The total amount of fraudulent bonuses paid to just these four soldiers exceeded ₴5.3 million ($137,800)," SBI wrote.
"Investigators also have information on approximately 50 other soldiers who received bonuses for fictitious frontline service. These cases will be investigated separately.”
To recover the losses, nearly ₴7 million ($182,000) seized during a search of the scheme’s organizer was transferred to Ukraine’s Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA). His movable and immovable property has also been seized.
The deputy brigade commander now faces additional charges under the following articles of Ukraine’s criminal code:
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Part 3, Article 255 — Creation of a criminal organization
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Part 5, Article 191 — Misappropriation, embezzlement or conversion or property by malversation of an especially gross amount
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Part 5, Article 426-1 — Omissions of military authorities
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Part 1, Article 366 — Forgery in office
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Part 4, Article 409 — Evasion of military service by way of self-maiming or otherwise
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Part 4, Article 410 — Stealing, appropriation, extortion or fraudulent obtaining of weapons
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Part 2, Article 146 — Illegal confinement or abduction of a person
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Part 2, Article 129 — Threat to kill.