NABU stated 254 million hryvnias in damages in drone procurement case

NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office have established new circumstances in the case of possible abuses in the procurement of drones by the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection for the Defense Forces of Ukraine in 2023. According to the investigation, the total damage to the state has increased from 90 million to 254 million hryvnias.

Based on additionally collected evidence, four previously identified persons have been given updated suspicions. Another suspicion was announced to the actual controller of private companies which, according to the investigation, took part in the scheme. The actions of the suspects are qualified under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — misappropriation of property through abuse of official position on an especially large scale.

NABU and SAP initially reported this case in October 2025. At that time, it was about the alleged embezzlement of more than 90 million hryvnias in the procurement of 400 DJI Mavic 3 and 1300 Autel Evo Max 4T drones. According to the investigation, in May–September 2023, the State Special Communications Service purchased these devices at prices 70–90% above market. Two officials of the agency and two representatives of private companies were notified of suspicion.

In the course of further investigation, detectives discovered two more companies linked to a previously identified supplier. According to NABU, in September 2023, State Special Communications officials concluded additional contracts with them for the supply of 500 DJI Mavic 3T, 2000 DJI Mavic 3 Pro and 900 DJI Matrice M30T.

The investigation claims that these drones were purchased at prices 60–90% above market. The winners, according to NABU and SAP, were determined in advance, and other controlled companies were involved to create the appearance of competition.

NABU cited one of the episodes that, according to the investigation, indicates coordination of the participants' actions. Officials sent a request for a commercial offer to the future winner of the procurement and in it indicated the name of a legal entity that was officially registered only several days after sending the letter.

The margin obtained from the inflated cost was transferred by participants of the alleged scheme to the accounts of controlled companies, including outside Ukraine, anti-corruption agencies claim. As part of the investigation, more than $4 million on the companies' accounts abroad and another 17 million hryvnias in Ukraine have been seized.

The pre-trial investigation continues. NABU and SAP are establishing the full range of possible participants. A notice of suspicion does not mean a person is found guilty — guilt can only be established by a guilty verdict of a court.

According to materials: NABU