Air Force logistics chief and SSU official detained
The Security Service of Ukraine has exposed a large-scale scheme to embezzle funds from the Ukrainian defense budget, involving the commander of logistics of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the head of the Security Service department in the Zhytomyr region.
As the investigation established, the defendants organized a scheme to embezzle state funds during the construction of fortifications. This involved the arrangement of additional protection at strategically important facilities, in particular, operational airfields of the Defense Forces.
The SBU reported that in May 2025, UAH 1.4 billion was allocated for the construction of collapsible arch shelters. Inspections showed that the projects did not meet safety requirements, the shelters did not provide proper protection for aircraft, and the cost of the work was overstated. Despite this, advance payments began to be made to contractors.
To stop inspections and hide the embezzlement, the officials, according to the investigation, organized the transfer of a bribe in the amount of about 13 million UAH. SBU internal security officers caught both suspects red-handed while transferring 320 thousand dollars to them.
Currently, a report of suspicion is being prepared for the officials under Article 369 (offer, promise or provision of an unlawful benefit to an official) and Article 426-1 (exceedance of authority or official powers by a military official in prior collusion with a group of persons) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
According to RBC-Ukraine sources, the detainees are Colonel Andriy Ukrainets (Commander of Logistics of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine) and Colonel Volodymyr Kompanichenko (Head of the SBU Department in Zhytomyr Region).
The Air Force Command responded to reports of the detention of one of its top officials. The department emphasized that it categorically condemns manifestations of corruption offenses and is ready to cooperate with investigative bodies to establish all the circumstances of the case.
An internal investigation has been ordered in the Air Force to determine the reasons for the potential violation. The Air Force Command is also taking measures to strengthen control over the transparency of resource use and optimize procurement procedures.
We also previously reported that in the Dnipropetrovsk region, the State Bureau of Investigation exposed the head of the food service of one of the military units, who organized a corruption scheme in the supply of products to the Armed Forces of Ukraine .
In addition, large-scale abuses were exposed in Odessa during the purchase of beds for military personnel. According to the investigation, the state overpaid almost 18 million hryvnias of budget funds.
