Investigators and military counterintelligence officers of the Security Service of Ukraine have collected evidence of criminal activity of the former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, who held this position from 2021 to 2023. He is suspected of embezzling almost UAH 1 billion in public funds, the SBU reports.

"According to the case file, in 2022, this official, in collusion with his subordinates, purchased low-quality military uniforms from a private company for almost UAH 1 billion. The investigation established that the military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine cannot use this uniform, as it is unsuitable for use in the cold season in conditions of intense hostilities," the SBU said in a statement.

Based on the collected materials, investigators notified the former Deputy Minister of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - Part 5 of Article 191 (misappropriation, embezzlement or seizure of property through abuse of office) and Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 1 of Article 114-1 (obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations).

Almost UAH 400 million must be returned to the Ministry of Defense for low-quality equipment. Under the same articles, his accomplice, the former acting director of the Ministry of Defense's Public Procurement Department, was served a notice of suspicion. Both offenders are currently in custody. The offenders face imprisonment for up to 12 years with confiscation of property.

This could be the former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine (2021-2023) Vyacheslav Shapovalov.