**Ukraine Charges Officials in Major Corruption Scandal**
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have announced charges against several officials and business owners involved in a major corruption scandal. The case involves the Defense Ministry’s overpriced food purchases between 2022 and 2023.
According to investigators, a former department head at the Defense Ministry, an owner of supplier companies, two heads of supplier companies, and one more individual were charged with embezzling Hr 733 million ($17.7 million) and attempting to embezzle Hr 788 million ($19 million).
The scandal was first reported by ZN.UA in January 2023 and sparked a major scandal within the ministry. The investigation found that food supplier Tetiana Hlyniana and former head of the ministry’s procurement department, Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, were involved in the scheme.
**How the Scheme Worked**
The scheme involved purchasing supplies for the military through “food kits” with set prices. However, the kits would often contain only 10% common foodstuffs like meat and vegetables, while the rest would be spices, berries, and other rarely ordered items.
Perpetrators would then overcharge for popular products and undercharge for less-used products. This meant that the ministry greatly overpaid for common foods like potatoes or eggs.
**Investigation Ongoing**
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are working to identify other suspects involved in the scheme. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be announced.
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