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 Supreme 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.
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