The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), together with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP), has announced suspicions against eight individuals. The suspects are accused of embezzling more than 150 million hryvnias of budget funds from the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU). All detained individuals are charged with theft of property in especially large amounts by a group of persons by prior conspiracy.

Real Estate Scheme and Inflated Prices

The investigation established that in 2024, a need arose within the National Guard for a facility to store food supplies. Instead of purchasing the real estate object directly from the owners, NGU officials conspired with entrepreneurs.

The scheme was as follows: intermediaries purchased the necessary facility for a company under their control and then resold it to the National Guard at an artificially inflated price. As a result, the state suffered damage amounting to more than 143 million hryvnias.

Fake Reports and Fund Withdrawal

To give the transaction the appearance of a legal agreement, directors of valuation companies were involved in the corruption scheme. For a fee, they prepared fake reports on the property's value. Afterward, the illegally obtained funds were withdrawn through companies with signs of fictitiousness and distributed among the conspirators.

Additional Embezzlement: From Tires to Solar Panels

Investigators uncovered another episode of embezzlement. Entrepreneurs, in collusion with NGU officials, misappropriated more than 7 million hryvnias of budget funds. These funds were stolen during the procurement of solar power plants for military units, as well as tires for armored personnel carriers.

Living on Stolen Money

After receiving illegal income, the material situation of the NGU officials improved significantly. The investigation recorded their acquisition of:

  • Premium-class cars;
  • Land plots for development near Kyiv;
  • A two-story apartment in the capital with an area of more than 130 sq. m;
  • Apartments in Bukovel worth over $300,000.

Law enforcement officers have placed a seizure on this property, as well as on $340,000 and €99,700 seized from the entrepreneurs.

Investigation Status

The suspected National Guard officials have already been suspended from their duties in 2025. This decision was made following the results of an internal investigation, which began after the initial searches conducted by NABU detectives.

The investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officers are establishing the possible involvement of other individuals in the scheme and verifying facts of money laundering of funds obtained through criminal activity.