Position: Head of the SSU Department in Zhytomyr region.
Sphere of corrupt activity: military.
Region of corruption activity: Zhytomyr region.
Qualification: actions are qualified under Part 5 of Article 426-1, Part 3 of Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Status: in custody.
Case story: On February 25, 2026, the Security Service of Ukraine exposed a large-scale scheme to embezzle funds from the defense budget of Ukraine, 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 SSU reported that in May 2025, 1.4 billion hryvnias were allocated for the construction of prefabricated arch shelters.
Inspections showed that the designs did not meet safety requirements, the shelters did not provide adequate protection for the aircraft, and the cost of the work was overstated. Despite this, advance payments began to be made to the contractors.
To stop inspections and hide the embezzlement of funds, officials, according to the investigation, organized the transfer of a bribe worth about 13 million hryvnias.
SSU internal security officers detained both suspects "red-handed" while transferring $320,000 to them.
According to media reports, 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 SSU 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.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported that the detainees were suspected of abuse of power and official authority committed in a prior conspiracy, as well as offering and providing illegal benefits (Part 5 of Article 426-1, Part 3 of Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
On February 27, a court chose a preventive measure for Andriy Ukrainyets, the Air Force Logistics Commander who was detained the day before and is suspected of a large-scale scheme to embezzle money from the defense budget. He was placed in custody with the possibility of posting bail, Suspilne reported.
The court chose a preventive measure for the Ukrainian in the form of detention for two months - until April 25 inclusive. The logistics commander can also post bail in the amount of 7 million hryvnias. According to prosecutor Oleksandr Smirnov, the prosecution requested 14 million hryvnias as bail.
If bail is posted, Andriy Ukrainets must:
· arrive at the first summons of a judge or investigator;
· do not travel outside the Zhytomyr region;
· submit a foreign passport;
· refrain from communicating with Volodymyr Kompanichenko.
The Ukrainian's defense team stated that the suspicion against him is unfounded. The lawyers claim that the Ukrainian was appointed to the position on November 8, 2025, and "all the events took place before him." In addition, the lawyer for the appointed person, Serhiy Mas, expressed doubts that his client could post bail. According to him, the Ukrainian is dependent on his parents and a minor child, and no money was found on him during the searches.
On the same day, the court remanded Volodymyr Kompanichenko, head of the SSU department of the Zhytomyr region, into custody.
The court sent Volodymyr Kompanichenko to custody for 60 days with the possibility of posting bail in the amount of 6 million 980 thousand UAH. In case of paying bail, Kompanichenko must surrender his international passport, come when summoned by law enforcement officers, not travel outside the region, and also wear an electronic bracelet.
On March 5, bail was posted for the former head of the SSU in the Zhytomyr region, Volodymyr Kompanichenko, who appears in a corruption case during the construction of aircraft shelters.
Persons potentially involved in corruption schemes: Commander of Logistics of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Ukrainets.
Assets: as of February 2026, there are no official declarations of Kompanichenko in open registers.
Persons who should have reacted: although both participants in the corruption scheme were suspected, SSU officers should have paid attention to their criminal activities earlier.
Scandals: Before the corruption scheme, he was not seen as a figure in other scandals.
Sources:
https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/koruptsiya-aerodromah-sud-zaareshtuvav-topchinovnika-1772210795.html
https://zaxid.net/sud_vidpraviv_pid_vartu_nachalnika_upravlinnya_sbu_na_zhitomirshhini_n1631428