Position: Head of the Repair Department of the Central Directorate for Aviation and Air Defense Armaments of the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Sphere of corrupt activity: national security and defense.
Region of corruption activity: the entire territory of Ukraine.
Qualification: the official's actions were qualified under Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Status: at large.
Case story: In late November 2024, counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine, together with NABU detectives, exposed a large-scale corruption scheme in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Two officials of the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are suspected of abusing their official position during the procurement of aircraft spare parts.
As reported by the media, it was about the head of the repair department of the Central Directorate for Aviation and Air Defense Armament Support of the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Konstantin But, as well as the deputy head of the aviation and technical support department of the Central Directorate for Aviation and Air Defense Armament Support of the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Volodymyr Vysotsky.
According to the investigation, in 2022–2023, officials of the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine concluded contracts with a controlled intermediary company at artificially inflated prices. Thus, the state budget suffered losses of UAH 27.3 million.
To create the appearance of competition, they brought in affiliated firms, including those with foreign registration. They took the excess profits obtained through these deals "into the shadows" through a network of controlled companies.
As NABU reported, with the assistance of officials, price offers from a predetermined group of participants were submitted for consideration by the commission, which was supposed to create the appearance of competition. Instead, more advantageous commercial offers from another participant were either deliberately distorted or completely ignored.
Both suspects were charged under the article on abuse of power committed by a group of persons in a prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). They face up to six years in prison. The investigation is ongoing, law enforcement officers are working to establish all the details of the crime and other persons involved.
Subsequently, the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court applied a preventive measure in the form of a bail of UAH 2 million to Konstantin But.
The motion of the NABU detective, approved by the SAPO prosecutor, to apply a preventive measure in the form of bail, shall be partially satisfied. To apply a preventive measure in the form of bail in the amount of UAH 2,000,000 to the suspect (But – ed.). The term of the duties imposed by the investigating judge shall be determined as two months, i.e. until January 22, 2025, however, within the term of the pre-trial investigation
The High Anti-Corruption Court also applied a preventive measure in the form of a bail of UAH 2 million to Volodymyr Vysotsky. He was assigned all the obligations requested by the NABU and the SAPO. Their term of validity is until January 25, 2025.
In addition, on December 5, 2024, the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court temporarily suspended Kostyantyn Bout and Volodymyr Vysotsky from their positions. The defense has already filed an appeal against this decision.
At the end of January 2025, the High Anti-Corruption Court extended until March 20 the suspension of Kostyantyn But from the position of Head of the Repair Department of the Central Directorate for Aviation and Air Defense Armaments of the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The SAPO prosecutor's request for an extension of the suspension from office is granted. To extend the suspension of the suspect (But - ed.) from the position of Head of the Repair Department of the Aviation and Air Defense Support and Restoration Department of the Central Aviation and Air Defense Support Department of the Armaments Command of the Logistics Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine until March 20, 2025 inclusive, but not longer than the term of the pre-trial investigation
In February 2025, the HIgh Anti-Corruption Court extended until May 20 the investigation into the suspicion of abuse by Volodymyr Vysotsky, Deputy Head of the Aviation and Technical Support Department of the Central Aviation and Air Defense Armaments Department of the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Kostyantyn But, Head of the Department of this Department.
The request of the senior detective of the NABU to extend the term of the pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings is granted. To extend the term of the pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings up to 6 months, i.e. until May 20, 2025 inclusive
In March 2025, the Commander of the Logistics Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Volodymyr Karpenko, dismissed Kostyantyn But from the position of Head of the Repair Department of the Central Directorate for Aviation and Air Defense Armament of the KSL of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Therefore, the High Anti-Corruption Court overturned his dismissal.
As is known, the anti-corruption court suspended Bout from his position. Later, the suspension was extended. Already on February 3, Bout's lawyer requested that the suspect's suspension be canceled, since on January 24, the commander of the Logistics Forces of the Armed Forces dismissed his client from his position and military service.
The lawyer's motion to cancel the suspension from office is granted. The measure of securing criminal proceedings in the form of suspension from office, applied by the decision of the investigating judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court dated 27.11.2024 to the suspect (But - ed.), is canceled.
Subsequently, the High Anti-Corruption Court did not cancel the notice of suspicion served on the former head of the repair department of the Central Directorate for Aviation and Air Defense Armament of the Logistics Forces Command, Konstantin But. The defense filed an appeal.
As indicated, on February 14, the Supreme Court of Criminal Appeals did not overturn Bout's suspicion. His defense attorney filed an appeal against this decision.
To schedule the consideration of the appeal of the suspect's defense lawyer (But - ed.) against the ruling of the investigating judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court dated February 14, 2025 on the refusal to satisfy the complaint on the notification of suspicion in criminal proceedings in an open court session in the premises of the Administrative Court of the High Anti-Corruption Court at 09:00 on March 12, 2025
In April 2025, it became known that the High Anti-Corruption Court removed the electronic bracelet, but extended until May 19 the remaining duties assigned to the head of the repair department of the Central Directorate for Aviation and Air Defense Armaments of the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Konstantin But.
The court previously imposed a preventive measure on Bout. He was ordered to appear at the first request, not to leave the Kyiv region without permission, to report any change of residence or work, to refrain from contact with suspects and witnesses, to surrender his foreign passports, and to wear an electronic bracelet.
The prosecutor of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office requested that all of these obligations be extended. At the same time, the defense requested that the wearing of the bracelet be canceled, citing Bout's compliance with all conditions and physical discomfort. The court partially granted the request, removing the bracelet, but leaving the other obligations in effect until May 19, 2025 inclusive.
Persons potentially involved in corruption schemes: in addition to Kostyantyn But, the scheme also involves Volodymyr Vysotsky, Deputy Head of the Aviation and Technical Support Department of the Central Aviation and Air Defense Support Department of the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Assets: in the declaration for 2023, Kostyantyn But indicated that he owns an apartment in Kyiv and two land plots - in Kyiv and Mykolaiv regions.
In addition, during the full-scale war, Booth and his wife purchased three cars: a Nissan Qashqai, a Toyota Auris, and a Volkswagen T-Roc (the total cost of the cars was UAH 1,767,000).
At the same time, Bout's income for 2023 was UAH 865,381. The official declared UAH 50,000 in cash.
Persons who should have reacted: law enforcement agencies responded in a timely manner to the criminal activities of Bout and his accomplice.
Scandals: Before the corruption scheme, Konstantin Bout was not seen as a figure in other scandals.
Sources:
https://biz.censor.net/news/3523775/sud-vidpustyv-drugogo-posadovtsya-syl-logistyky-pid-zastavu
https://public.nazk.gov.ua/documents/14983a09-e315-43fb-835a-18a9b73f796c