SBU officer detained on suspicion of corruption

A senior operational officer of the Security Service of Ukraine's military counterintelligence department was arrested on charges of abusing his influence over the work of medical commissions. The court determined that he could be released on bail in the amount of 750,000 hryvnia.

Information about the officer's detention became known from a criminal case opened under Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Evading mobilisation scheme

Investigations established that in the autumn of 2024, an SBU employee offered an acquaintance to influence the decisions of the Central Medical and Social Expert Commissions (MSEC) or other units of the Kyiv City MSEC Centre. 

For 20,000 dollars, he promised to help the acquaintance's wife's brother avoid mobilisation into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. To achieve this, the commission was to assign a disability group either to him or to his spouse.

Over the years of service in the security agencies, a relationship of trust had developed between the officer and his acquaintance. As part of the agreement, the suspect received copies of the necessary documents for the relative and conducted negotiations regarding the further processing of the disability status.

Transfer of funds and unexpected difficulties

On 19 November 2024, investigators recorded the transfer of the first part of the sum — 10,000 dollars. However, the process of obtaining disability status was delayed. The suspect suggested resolving the issue through the Zhytomyr Military Medical Commission, where he was at that time handling a similar case for another individual. He advised hurrying, as there was a threat of the liquidation of the established MSEC system.

Later, the officer reported that the transfer of funds would be made directly to MSEC officials in Kyiv. On 24 November, he assured that he had already transferred 10,000 dollars, but the doctors, according to him, were afraid to process disability status for those liable for military service. 

As an alternative, he proposed to grant a Group II disability for two years to the acquaintance's sister, and subsequently to arrange a deferment from conscription, process the documents, and guarantee the man's unimpeded departure abroad.

Detention and charges

On 21 January 2025, operatives detained the SBU employee in Vinnytsia near the administrative building of counterintelligence. At the time of his arrest, he was receiving the second part of the sum — 5,000 dollars. Shortly after, the officer was formally charged with abuse of influence.