A large-scale corruption scheme involving a high-ranking official of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has been uncovered in Lviv. An officer holding the position of Head of the Military Law Enforcement Service demanded a bribe of $2.2 million from a developer. The goal of the deal was to obtain permission to construct a residential complex on the territory of a protected military base.
The "black" construction scheme
According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), the suspect's criminal activity began in March 2021. At that time, he simultaneously headed one of the military police departments and commanded a military base in Lviv. Using his dual status, the official proposed to a businessman that they organize the construction of an apartment building on land belonging to the military department.
To implement the plan, the officer recruited two accomplices: a former lawyer and another developer. According to the investigation's version, the group planned to split the proceeds among themselves, securing significant profit from the illegal development of a strategically important territory.
Receipt of funds documented
NABU detectives were able to document the actual receipt of the bribe. Between March 2021 and July 2023, the participants in the scheme received $2 million in cash. Operatives recorded the transfer of funds, which became key evidence of the participants' guilt.
Currently, the pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officers are actively working to identify the circle of individuals who may have been involved in this financial pyramid or facilitated the illegal deal.
Corruption in the defense sector
This case is another example of systemic problems within the Ukrainian army and related structures. Previously, law enforcement officials have exposed similar officials. For instance, the head of a defense enterprise preparing for privatization was suspected of embezzlement: he dismantled production workshops, sold them as scrap metal, and spent the proceeds on buying luxury cars.
Additionally, in the Rivne region, two deputy heads of regional SBU departments were exposed. According to the investigation, they demanded a bribe of $620,000 from the head of a company engaged in amber mining.
