Businessmen attempted to deliver a shipment of combat shirts unfit for frontline use to the military and offered a bribe to an officer at the National Guard of Ukraine’s Central Supply Base in exchange for accepting the substandard goods. The Security Service of Ukraine caught the suspects red-handed.
Military counterintelligence and investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine, working closely with the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, dismantled a corruption scheme involving the embezzlement of funds from the defense budget. Two representatives of a commercial entity were detained in the capital while attempting to supply frontline soldiers with substandard uniforms.
The press offices of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor General reported on the joint special operation.
The essence of the scheme: a contract for 10,000 shirts and substandard goods
According to the investigation, the illegal activities were orchestrated by the former founder of a Kyiv-based company specializing in the manufacture of uniforms and her trusted representative—a company official.
- Contract with the National Guard of Ukraine: In August 2026, the company entered into a direct contract with the National Guard of Ukraine to supply 10,000 combat shirts (UBXs);
- Defects Instead of Quality: Instead of full-fledged and reliable military uniforms, the suppliers shipped an incomplete batch of defective goods with a total value of over 8.6 million hryvnias;
- Expert findings: Laboratory tests initiated by law enforcement officials officially confirmed that the fabric, hardware, and quality of the seams used do not meet the technical specifications (TU) of the Ministry of Defense and render the shirts completely unsuitable for use in combat operations.
Attempted Bribery and Being Caught Red-Handed
Realizing that the shipment would inevitably be rejected during the acceptance inspection, the merchants decided to bribe an official at the Central Base for Production, Technological Procurement, and Supply of the National Guard of Ukraine. They offered the military officer a monetary reward to sign fictitious acceptance reports and turn a blind eye to the obvious defects.
The officer took a principled stand, refused the illegal benefit, and immediately reported the matter to his command and the security service.
SBU operatives detained both suspects at the very moment the bribe was being handed over.
During urgent searches of the suspects’ residences and the company’s offices, law enforcement officials seized:
- more than 3.5 million hryvnias in various currencies;
- cell phones and computer equipment containing correspondence regarding the organization of shipments;
- rough accounting records and documentation exposing a scheme to embezzle public funds.
Charges and Arrest
Under the procedural guidance of the Office of the Prosecutor General, SBU investigators informed both detainees that they were suspected of violating two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Part 1 of Article 114-1 — obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a state of emergency;
- Part 3 of Article 369 — offering, promising, or providing an unlawful benefit to a public official in a position of responsibility, as part of a prior conspiracy by a group of persons.
The court granted the prosecutors’ motion and ordered the suspects to be held in pretrial detention. The penalties under the charges carry a sentence of up to 8 years in prison with confiscation of property. The pretrial investigation is ongoing.
Source: Security Service of Ukraine
