NABU and SAPO exposed a large-scale scheme to steal money using drones: losses exceeded 90 million hryvnias

NABU and SAPO exposed a large-scale scheme organized by officials of the State Special Communications Service and representatives of private companies, thanks to which 90 million hryvnias were stolen during the procurement of drones for the military.

This was reported by the press service of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau.

As the investigation established, in 2023, after the adoption of amendments to the State Budget, the State Special Communications Service received UAH 30 billion for the purchase of drones.

Then the head of one of the departments came up with a plan according to which the drones were supplied at inflated prices, and by pre-determined companies.

To do this, during tenders, controlled firms were involved to simulate competition.

“Thus, in May-September 2023, the State Service for Special Communications purchased 400 DJI Mavic 3 drones and 1,300 Autel Evo Max 4T drones at prices that exceeded market prices by 70–90%. As a result, the state suffered losses of over UAH 90 million. The participants in the scheme transferred these funds to the accounts of controlled companies, including abroad,” the NABU explained.

However, anti-corruption authorities seized over $4 million in the accounts of companies abroad and UAH 17 million in Ukraine.

As a result of the exposure of the scheme, two officials of the department and two representatives of private companies were reported on suspicion of embezzlement of funds in particularly large amounts.

The investigation is currently ongoing and other participants involved in the crime are being identified.

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