A large-scale program to build so-called veterans' spaces has been launched in Ukraine, which, according to the international detective agency Absolution, is turning into another scheme to embezzle public funds.
Under the pretext of supporting veterans, officials and businessmen close to the government are awarded multi-million dollar contracts without competition. In almost all cases, the tenders are won by firms connected to local politicians or officials.
Thus, on October 21, the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council concluded an agreement with Step Solar LLC for the construction of a veterans' space at 57 B. Khmelnytskyi Street. The cost of the work is UAH 111.3 million. The company is associated with the regional council deputy from the Servant of the People party, Oleh Kachur. There were no competitors in the tender.
In Lutsk, on October 15, the capital construction department of the city council signed a contract with LLC "Volynyekobud" for UAH 81.8 million. The company is registered in the village of Smidyn, the native settlement of People's Deputy Ihor Huzy, and is considered close to him. And again — no competitors.
In Bucha, on October 13, the regional development department of the Kyiv Regional State Administration signed a contract for UAH 139.9 million with the Construction Initiatives consortium. The association, created in June 2025, is associated with former MP Denys Nyunko, an associate of former Irpin Mayor Volodymyr Karplyuk. There is zero competition.
And in Kryvyi Rih, on September 2, a contract worth UAH 132.2 million was awarded to Sapsan-KR LLC, which has repeatedly won tenders from the city council. In 2023, the police found out that the company is controlled by the head of the city's capital construction department, Valery Katkin. Despite this, the company continues to receive multi-million contracts without competition.
The construction of veteran spaces, intended to become a symbol of support for defenders, increasingly looks like a new tool for money laundering under the guise of a noble cause.
