The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on the exposure of a private entrepreneur who supplied low-quality FPV drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (FSU). The director of the company from the Kyiv region, which won the tender for the supply of 1,000 drones, is currently under suspicion for embezzling particularly large amounts of funds.
According to the investigation, the device was organized by the director of a private company from the Kyiv region, which specializes in the production of unmanned systems. At the beginning of this year, the entrepreneur won a tender for the purchase of 1,000 FPV drones for the needs of the Armed Forces, which was held by the Netishyn City Council.
The figurehead artificially underestimated the cost of drone production, and appropriated the resulting "difference". The "roll" on each drone was from 4 to 7.5 thousand UAH, depending on its type.
After conducting an audit and a special examination on compliance with the product's technical requirements, the law enforcement officers received additional confirmation of the entrepreneur's criminal activity.
On the basis of the evidence base, he was charged with suspicion under part 5 of Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (possession of property by abuse of official position, committed by a group of persons under martial law in a previous conspiracy in a particularly large amount)
The question of choosing a person involved in a preventive measure is being resolved. He faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. An investigation is also underway to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The law enforcement officers said that the total value of the concluded contracts amounted to UAH 16.4 million, of which, according to the investigation, the owner of the manufacturing company stole almost a third.
To implement the scheme, the contractors installed low-quality navigation equipment on the drones. We are talking about video cameras and video transmitters that did not meet the stated requirements for the technical characteristics of the UAV.
The SBI informed the organizers of the suspicion of the purchase of poor-quality first-aid kits for the military for UAH 58.5 million. The suspects face up to 10 years in prison for inaction and fraud.
