The SAPO and NABU have completed an investigation into a large-scale corruption case in the defense sector related to the creation of the automated system of the Operational Command Center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "Dzvin". According to the investigation, the state suffered losses of over UAH 246 million.
Among the suspects are former high-ranking officials of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the head of a private company that performed the contract for the development of the system: the former deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (lieutenant general), the former chief of the communications troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (major general), the former head of the automation development department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (colonel), and the director of the private company that became the main executor of the contract.
According to the investigation, in 2016, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract with a company that had no experience in developing military command systems or specialized software. Over four years, the state was paid over UAH 600 million for research and development work, of which over a third of the funds were embezzled during the creation of the software and the correction of documentation.
The actions of the suspects were qualified under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (embezzlement, embezzlement of property on a particularly large scale). The case materials have now been transferred to the court for consideration.
