Drones with lower component costs: reasons for the second suspicion of the mayor of Netishyn from the prosecutor’s office
A scandalous situation arose in Netishyn with drones intended for use on the front line. The city council signed contracts for 16 million hryvnias, but the prosecutor’s office and the SBU launched an investigation, accusing them of possible manipulation of components and embezzlement of budget funds.
Drones have become indispensable assistants in combat conditions, performing reconnaissance functions, adjusting fire, and saving the lives of the wounded. FPV drones, for example, are considered adequate due to their cheapness compared to missiles, while at the same time being capable of destroying enemy equipment.
However, what should be done when the military receives dubious equipment instead of reliable devices, and there are opaque schemes behind this?
Netishyn found itself at the epicenter of this situation: the local authorities signed three contracts with the company “Dronika” for a total amount of over 16 million hryvnias. Shortly after that, law enforcement officers visited the city council.
The mayor’s first reaction
In the midst of the scandal, the then-mayor Oleksandr Suprunyuk made an emotional appeal:
“Every drone and car is someone’s life. Why doesn’t it bother you?”
In addition, he asked the military how to support them further adequately and who is responsible in this situation.
Instead of volunteers, investigators came to the city council’s door.
Criminal proceedings
Law enforcement officers have initiated criminal proceedings related to possible embezzlement of funds. Three agreements between the city council and “Dronika” for a total amount of over 16 million hryvnias were identified, under which the cost of drone components was reduced. Thus, representatives of “Dronika” replaced high-quality parts with cheaper ones, resulting in the embezzlement of budget funds.
In early 2024, the Netishyn city council announced a tender for 1,000 FPV drones, with a contract price of 16.4 million hryvnias. According to the investigation, the company’s owner appropriated approximately a third of this amount.
Suprunyuk was warned about suspicion.
Oleksandr Suprunyuk confirmed that he had received suspicion, emphasizing that he was being accused of official negligence, not corruption.
Trials
During the hearings, representatives of the prosecutor’s office stated that the drones to be purchased did not meet the declared technical specifications. When the video transmitter was supposed to cost 8,000 hryvnias, the equipment was installed for 2,000 hryvnias.
The head of the prosecutor’s department, Roman Semenyuk, noted that the prosecutor considers Suprunyuk responsible for the improper performance of official duties, as he signed the agreements and acceptance certificates for drones that turned out to be of inadequate quality.
Suprunyuk’s defense argues that in times of war, swift decisions are crucial, not bureaucratic delays.
Second suspicion
At one of the court hearings, the mayor was handed another piece of evidence, which subsequently became public knowledge due to the presence of journalists.
Suprunyuk avoids communicating with journalists, providing changes in the scope of his work.
Suprunyuk’s trial
The representative of the injured party noted that he hopes for a fair trial, where all accusations will be proven or refuted. The court decided to extend Suprunyuk’s suspension from duty for another two months.
Situation in the city
When asked how the city is coping without a mayor, the representative of the injured party said that the situation is under control, despite Suprunyuk’s suspension.
While the trial is ongoing, the question of the transparency of the investigation and overcoming abuses by officials remains open, because every drone on the frontline is someone’s life saved.
