Demanded a million dollars for the supply of drones: a new suspicion was reported to a State Border Service official

NABU and SAPO informed an official of the State Border Service of Ukraine and the owner of a private company about new suspicions in the case of extortion of illegal benefits for the unhindered supply of drones. The investigation established an additional episode of bribery, as well as legalization of illegal income in cryptocurrency.

This was reported to the law enforcement agency.

According to the investigation, in August 2025, the drone manufacturer won the tender of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, offering a lower price. At the same time, one of the competitors counted on winning thanks to his connections with representatives of the border guard service. After the failure of this plan, he, in collusion with officials of the State Border Guard Service, began to demand $ 1 million from the winner for the unhindered conclusion of the contract and acceptance of the equipment.

Detectives have identified an additional episode of the transfer of illegal benefits. A competitor transferred 50,000 USDT — the cryptocurrency Tether — to a State Border Service of Ukraine official. At the NBU exchange rate, this amount amounted to over 2.1 million UAH.

In addition, the investigation found that the State Border Service of Ukraine official repeatedly received illegal income and hid it in crypto assets. In January-April 2026, he transferred more than UAH 15.4 million to Tether.

The border guard later converted some of these assets into cash. With these funds, he purchased a Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, which he registered for his wife.

One of the cryptocurrency wallets was discovered by NABU detectives during a search of the official’s residence.