Squad leader who sold 40 grenade rounds faces 15 years in prison

Sale of unit weapons

The State Bureau of Investigation has completed the pre-trial investigation into the case of a squad leader. The officer is accused of embezzling and selling 40 rounds for grenade launchers. The indictment has already been sent to court.

According to the case materials, the serviceman received ammunition intended for his unit, which was then carrying out combat missions in Donetsk region. However, the squad leader decided to keep part of the received weapons for himself.

Amount of damages and detention

Later, the accused sold 40 grenade rounds for 8,500 US dollars. Law enforcement officers detained the officer. The SBI calculated that his actions caused the state damages exceeding 1.1 million hryvnias. During the pre-trial investigation, these damages were fully reimbursed.

Qualification and punishment

The squad leader's actions were qualified under Part 4 of Article 410 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — embezzlement of combat ammunition by a serviceman committed under martial law. If the court proves his guilt, the officer faces a punishment of up to 15 years in prison.

The investigation was conducted by SBI employees with the assistance of the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police. Procedural supervision was carried out by the Donetsk Specialised Prosecutor's Office in the Sphere of Defence of the Eastern Region.

Other cases involving weapons among military personnel

Previously, the SBI exposed a number of other cases of illegal handling of weapons and ammunition in the army. In Rivne region, an officer of the National Guard was suspected of illegally storing approximately 200 live rounds, while another serviceman lost a pistol entrusted to him along with the ammunition.

In Zhytomyr region, a sergeant was suspected of selling assault rifles for approximately 2,000 dollars each, and sets of ammunition for 500 dollars each. According to the investigation, he documented part of the weapons as used or destroyed while carrying out combat missions.