Scheme for embezzling military food worth UAH 2.7m exposed in Donetsk region

Mechanism for obtaining food surpluses revealed

Investigators from the State Bureau of Investigations established the facts of embezzling food in the Kramatorsk district of Donetsk region. From September 2025 to February 2026, two military officials systematically embezzled food intended for the personnel of the unit.

According to the investigation, food was received on paper based on a calculation for a larger number of servicemen than were actually present in the unit. The surpluses created in this way were sold to the civilian population. The total amount of damage caused to the state, according to the conclusion of the judicial economic expertise, exceeded 2.7 million hryvnias.

Roles of the suspects in the criminal scheme

Two heads of responsible services came under the scrutiny of law enforcement officers. The head of the logistics rear food service was supposed to monitor that food distribution was carried out strictly in accordance with the actual number of military personnel. Despite having access to documents for verifying this data, the man regularly issued invoices with an artificially inflated number of personnel.

The head of the warehouse, who was responsible for the receipt, storage, issuance, and accounting of food, exploited these errors. He embezzled the excess stock and organised its sale to the civilian population.

Procedural actions and qualification of offences

SBI officers stopped the illegal activities of the suspects. During searches, part of the embezzled food, as well as official documentation that may confirm the circumstances of the offence, was seized. The agency noted that part of the damage caused to the state has already been reimbursed.

The head of the logistics rear food service was notified of suspicion under Part 4 of Article 425 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — for the negligence of a military official that caused serious consequences, committed under martial law.

The head of the warehouse of the economic platoon of the food supply company is charged under Part 4 of Article 410 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — embezzlement of military property under martial law.

The harshest sanction under the charged articles provides for up to 15 years of imprisonment. Procedural supervision of the investigation is carried out by the Donetsk Specialised Prosecutor's Office in the Sphere of Defence of the Eastern Region.