Fuel procurement for army: Ex-defense official suspected of causing UAH 340M in losses to state

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has issued a notice of suspicion to a former acting head of a department within Ukraine's Ministry of Defense responsible for procurement and resource support. His negligence led to losses of over UAH 340 million to the state.

According to the SBI, in the summer of 2023, the former official procured fuel and lubricants for military needs and unlawfully included value-added tax (VAT) in the payment, Ukrinform reports.

Nineteen contracts were signed to purchase lubricants, oil, and distillates for special-purpose military equipment, amounting to UAH 2 billion. The resulting damage to the state exceeded UAH 340 million.

The former official is now under suspicion for a negligent attitude toward military service (Part 4 of Article 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), which carries a penalty of up to eight years in prison.

The court will soon consider a motion to impose a preventive measure in the form of nighttime house arrest.

The former official has already reimbursed nearly UAH 330 million.

The SBI noted that in September 2024, a similar case was opened against his predecessor, who allegedly caused nearly UAH 1.2 billion in losses to the state using the same procurement scheme.

On July 4, 2025, SBI investigators issued another notice of suspicion to a former acting director of the Defense Ministry's Department of Public Procurement and Supply of Material Resources. His actions resulted in over UAH 2 billion in damages. He faces charges of official negligence (Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code) and forgery of official documents (Part 4 of Article 358 of the Criminal Code).