A large-scale scheme was discovered in Poltava, in which officials appropriated 5.4 million for equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

A criminal group was discovered in Poltava that embezzled over 5.4 million hryvnias from the budget, presenting a fictitious purchase of equipment for the defense sector. The suspects include a former city council employee, a public procurement specialist, a materially responsible person, and a director of a private company.

The investigation established that the former director of a city council department, along with his subordinates, and the director of a company that supplies computer equipment, were involved in this scheme. This company posed as a formal supplier for the purchase of 70 satellite phones and related components for the Poltava Regional Territorial Center for Procurement and Social Support.

The problem was that the equipment was purchased at significantly inflated prices, resulting in an illegal outflow of over 5.4 million hryvnias from the budget.

While investigating this case, law enforcement officers have already reported suspicion to all four individuals who participated in the scheme. Their actions are classified under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, including abuse of office and official forgery. If convicted, all suspects face up to six years in prison. Investigators are currently considering preventive measures for the suspects.

It is also worth noting that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau is conducting checks into possible corruption schemes in the construction of fortifications across various regions of Ukraine, including the Poltava and Kharkiv regions, where examinations and searches are currently underway.