AFU officer embezzles millions while frontline troops eat rotten food
AFU major steals soldiers' food money to buy Bali villa and luxury goods, named suspect in corruption case (Photo: State Bureau of Investigation (SBI))
AFU major was served a notice of suspicion for embezzling over 10 million UAH ($256k) meant for soldiers' food to buy a Bali villa and luxury goods, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) reported on Feb. 20.
The suspect headed the food service of an Air Assault Forces brigade. Investigators revealed he purchased a $190,000 elite apartment in Bali in 2024 and spent nearly $64,000 (2.5 million UAH) on designer clothes in Dnipro.
His total assets exceed $256,000, grossly outweighing his official income. The Prosecutor General's Office noted his declared annual earnings between 2022 and 2024 never exceeded $25,600 (999,717 UAH), with no record of expensive purchases or liabilities.
The major conspired with the director of a supply company providing food for combat units in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The scheme relied on 'phantom' deliveries: acceptance certificates were signed for full food volumes, while soldiers received only a fraction. The officials fraudulently wrote off the rest.
Defenders were frequently supplied with low-quality, rotten fruits and vegetables. In exchange for ignoring complaints, the major received kickbacks of up to 50% of the supply cost, pocketing over $25,600 (1 million UAH) in a single week.
Dodging service for global vacations in 2025
Prosecutors found the major systematically evaded service in 2025 by taking continuous vacations to Argentina, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Japan, the Czech Republic, Turkiye, Egypt, and even Antarctica. He abandoned his post for at least 38 days but continued receiving $4,000 (156,000 UAH) in military bonuses.
Searches of his properties yielded $51,000, 2,100 euros, $5,150 (201,000 UAH) in cash, luxury cars, real estate documents, a $205,000 (8 million UAH) designer clothing collection, and IOUs worth $120,000.
He received new suspicion notices on Feb. 17 for fraud, bribery, draft evasion under martial law, illicit enrichment, and money laundering.
A court remanded him in custody with a $256,000 (10 million UAH) bail alternative and sent him to the guardhouse, while a motion to seize his assets remains pending.
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