Former Commander of National Guard Unit and Ex-Chief of Staff Suspected of Illegal Combat Payments - SBI

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) have officially charged a former commander of one of Ukraine's National Guard units, based in the Dnipropetrovsk region, along with his former chief of staff. These individuals have been implicated in the organization of illegal payments labeled as 'combat' allowances, which totaled nearly 12 million hryvnias. According to information released on the official Telegram channel of the SBI, the investigation revealed that the leadership of this unit had established a scheme that allowed for the unlawful disbursement of payments to personnel who were supposedly engaged in tasks related to maintaining platoon strongholds.

The SBI's statement highlighted that, in reality, the military personnel for whom these payments were processed were serving in staff positions and had not performed any combat duties. Consequently, nearly 12 million hryvnias were unjustly disbursed from the state budget. As part of the preliminary investigation, the unlawfully allocated funds have already been recovered, indicating active measures taken by law enforcement in this case.

The former commander and chief of staff have been informed of their suspicion of negligence in military service, which resulted in severe consequences. These actions were carried out during a state of martial law, which constitutes an aggravating circumstance under part 4 of Article 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The procedural oversight in this case is being conducted by the Kryvyi Rih Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the field of defense for the Eastern region, ensuring proper control over the legality in this significant matter.

This situation raises concerns within society as it calls into question the effectiveness of military unit management and the utilization of state funds in wartime conditions. Law enforcement continues to investigate to clarify all circumstances of the case and hold those responsible accountable. It is crucial that such incidents do not go unnoticed, as they undermine trust in military structures and the state as a whole.

It is important to note that the issue of illegal payments in the military sector is not new, and similar situations have occurred in the past. However, during wartime, when resources are limited and the needs of the army are increasing, such actions are particularly dangerous. They can lead to serious consequences not only for military personnel but also for the entire country, which is fighting for its independence and territorial integrity. Therefore, it is essential for law enforcement agencies to continue their efforts in detecting and punishing corrupt schemes within the military sector.