Former deputy Reznikov Shapovalov was exposed for embezzlement of almost UAH 1 billion, - SSU. PHOTO
SSU investigators and military counterintelligence officers collected evidence of criminal activity of the former Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, who held this position from 2021 to 2023.
He is suspected of embezzling almost UAH 1 billion in public funds. This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the SSU press centre.
The SSU does not name the defendant. According to media reports, it is Viacheslav Shapovalov.
According to the case, 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.
Based on the collected materials, SSU investigators served the former Deputy Minister a notice 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);
- Art. 28(2) and Art. 114-1(1) (obstruction of lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations).
His accomplice, the former acting director of the Ministry of Defence's Public Procurement Department, was served with a notice of suspicion under the same articles.
Both criminals are currently in custody.
The offenders face up to 12 years' imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The complex measures were carried out under the procedural supervision of the Specialised Defence Prosecutor's Office of the Prosecutor General's Office.
On 21 January, the media reported that the Ministry of Defence may purchase food for the military at prices that are 2-3 times too high.
Theagency responded by stating: "The media reports about the purchase of food for the military are misleading and manipulative. We are preparing materials for the SSU". Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov denied the information about the purchase of food at inflated prices. According to him, there was a technical error in the document published by the media - the supplier indicated the price for a kilogram of eggs rather than a dozen.
The Ministry of Defence's catering service provider denied allegations of price gouging and invited members of the Defence Committee to the production site.
The scandal was discussed at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence. Reznikov was retained in his position.
The Ministry of Defence is audited by the State Audit Service.
TheNABU and the SAPO are investigating the procurement information in the framework of criminal proceedings that were initiated before the publication of the journalistic investigation.
After the procurement scandal, Reznikov announced a reform of the army's food supply.
It was reported that Deputy Defence Minister Shapovalov was allowed to resign. Bohdan Khmelnytsky, deputy director of the Ministry of Defence's Department of State Procurement and Supply of Material Resources, was also dismissed.
