Ex-commander of Territorial Defense Brigade suspected of embezzling over 12 million UAH on FPV drones
Law enforcement exposed a scheme in which over 12 million UAH were spent on the purchase of 580 FPV drones for the Ukrainian military, but none of the contracted drones actually reached combat units. The investigation considers the former commander of a territorial defense brigade in Kyiv region as the organizer of the scheme.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor General, the purchases were made during 2025. The drones were supposed to be transferred to the military performing tasks in the Kharkiv direction.
In total, contracts were concluded for the supply of 580 FPV drones worth over 12 million UAH. Budget funds under the contracts were transferred to suppliers, however the drones themselves were never received by the military.
Delivery was only on paper
According to the investigation, instead of actual delivery, the participants in the scheme drew up documents that created the appearance of fully executed contracts.
In particular, the official submitted acceptance certificates for FPV drones for signature, although in fact the drones never arrived at the military unit.
The SBU claims that after this, the organizer of the scheme demanded that the military personnel conceal the absence of drones during inspections and arrange their write-off as if the equipment had been lost directly during combat operations.
Law enforcement notes that the absence of the purchased drones negatively affected the performance of tasks by the Ukrainian military on the front line.
Civilians were involved in the scheme
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, the former commander involved three other persons in the scheme.
The investigation believes that civilian accomplices used controlled enterprises to conduct operations with budget funds and their subsequent conversion into cash.
Thus, over 12 million UAH, which were supposed to be used to equip combat units with FPV drones, were transferred under contracts that were not actually fulfilled.
On August 27, law enforcement officers detained the suspects. The SBU reports the detention of the former commander together with three other participants in the case. In accordance with the order of the Commander of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the official was also dismissed from his position.
What charges the suspects face
Investigators notified the suspects of suspicion of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a special period.
The Office of the Prosecutor General also reports charges of forging documents submitted for state registration of legal entities.
Motions for pre-trial restrictions have been submitted to the court. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement is identifying all those involved in the scheme.
In accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court verdict.
Based on materials: Security Service of Ukraine, Office of the Prosecutor General
