Two National Guard Colonels Suspected of Illegal Combat Payments Amounting to Nearly 12 Million Hryvnias

In a military unit of the National Guard of Ukraine located in Dnipropetrovsk region, law enforcement agencies have exposed a large-scale scheme of illegal payments that were made under the guise of monetary rewards for performing combat missions. The total amount of these payments stands at nearly 12 million hryvnias, prompting serious reactions from law enforcement authorities.

According to information provided by the specialized prosecutor's office in the defense sector of the Eastern region and the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR), on March 30 and 31, 2025, two colonels were officially notified of their suspicions. They held the positions of former commander and first deputy commander of one of the military units of the National Guard of Ukraine. They are accused of negligent performance of military duty, which led to severe consequences under conditions of martial law.

Investigative data revealed that in March 2025, these military officers made payments to 164 servicemen for the period from December 2024 to February 2025. The payments were documented as additional monetary rewards for completing combat (special) missions related to the maintenance of platoon strongholds. However, according to the investigation, such missions were not actually carried out, indicating serious violations on the part of the command.

As a result of these actions, the state incurred damages amounting to over 11.9 million hryvnias. This information is corroborated by the findings of a forensic economic examination conducted as part of the investigation. Currently, the prosecutor's office has already taken measures to recover the overpaid funds, which is an important step in compensating for the damages incurred.

Regarding the suspects, a preventive measure in the form of personal obligation has been applied to them. This means they are required to adhere to certain conditions while the investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officials emphasize that this case is a striking example of abuse of power and negligent performance of duties, which is particularly dangerous under conditions of martial law.

It is worth noting that the fact of illegal additional reward payments in this military unit was discovered as a result of an internal investigation conducted by the Central Territorial Administration of the National Guard of Ukraine. This indicates that internal controls and inspections within Ukraine's defense system are beginning to yield results; however, work must continue to improve transparency and accountability within military structures.

Thus, the situation regarding illegal payments in the National Guard of Ukraine underscores the importance of combating corruption and abuses within state structures, especially in a context where the country is at war. Accountability for such actions must be inevitable to ensure public trust in the military and law enforcement agencies.