NABU and SAPO referred to court the case of alleged embezzlement of budget funds during the purchase of food for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the investigation, due to price manipulation, suppliers received over UAH 733 million in illegal excess profits.

This was announced on November 12 by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.

The investigation established that in 2022-2023, the Ministry of Defense purchased food for the military from a catalog of 409 product items. At the same time, key goods such as meat, cereals, vegetables, and water constituted only a small part of the assortment.

According to NABU, the suppliers exploited peculiarities of forming the cost of food kits to inflate prices for the most sought-after goods. Meanwhile, prices for products that were rarely ordered or not purchased at all were artificially lowered. This allowed concealing the real rise in cost of food for the army.

During August-December 2022, two companies controlled by a single female owner, according to the investigation, received over UAH 733 million in illegal excess profits. Part of the funds was siphoned off through dividend payments and financial assistance to affiliated enterprises.

Law enforcement officers are also checking the possible use of this money to acquire hotels in Croatia and other real estate. A Ministry of Defense official who approved contracts despite significant price discrepancies was allegedly involved in the scheme, according to the investigation.

After the start of the investigation in January 2023 and public disclosure of purchases of eggs at UAH 17 each, prices for the 11 most popular products were reduced. According to NABU's estimate, this prevented further misappropriation of UAH 788 million in budget funds.

In April 2025, five persons were notified of suspicion, and in September of the same year, the pre-trial investigation was completed. Now the case files have been sent to court for trial on the merits.

The guilt of the accused is to be established by the court.

Based on materials from: NABU