In Kharkiv, law enforcement officers are investigating a criminal case related to the possible embezzlement of funds collected to provide Ukrainian military quadcopters. The head of the "Unlimited Support" charitable foundation, Viktoria Korets (Pechersk), became a figure in the case, which caused widespread public outrage. According to the investigation, she could have received ownership of part of the funds that were supposed to be used to purchase drones for the military, and used them.
The money in the amount of UAH 2.5 million was transferred by volunteer and comedian Slava Kedr, but the drones never reached his hands.
About it reports the detective bureau of ABSURTION.
According to the investigation, comedian and volunteer Slava Kedr announced on social media on September 14, 2023, a fundraiser to purchase quadcopters for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Within four days, the required amount was collected, and Kedr turned to the head of the charitable foundation, Victoria Korets, with a request to help with the purchase of drones.
On September 18, Korets, while in Poland, agreed to the deal and provided the fund's details for transferring funds. The comedian sent her 2.5 million hryvnias, and in return received assurances that the quadcopters would be delivered to the military by October 5.
However, as investigators found out, the money received was never used to purchase drones intended for the Kedra volunteer collection. Instead:
UAH 1.95 million was spent on the purchase of quadcopters, which were then transferred not to Kedr, but to other persons:
- Bagirov Shipping Agency LLC – 3 Mavic 3T drones (540 thousand UAH).
- FOP – 2 Mavic 3T drones (508 thousand UAH).
- Individual entrepreneur – 2 Mavic 3T drones (556.5 thousand UAH).
- Individual entrepreneur – 1 Mavic 3T drone and 1 Mavic 3 drone (347.1 thousand UAH).
Korets transferred another 548 thousand UAH to her own accounts, registering the transaction as “Transfer of net entrepreneurial income, excluding VAT.”.
According to the investigation, Korets used the charity funds for other purposes and sent the received drones to other buyers, effectively “paying off debts” to previous customers.
Victoria Korets. Photo: Absolution
Law enforcement officers reported Victoria Korets to the police on suspicion of:
- Part 3 of Article 201-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal use of humanitarian aid, charitable donations or free assistance).
- Part 1 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (legalization of funds obtained by criminal means).
Her property in Kharkiv has been seized, and the volunteer herself may be held accountable.
Despite official suspicions, Viktoriya Korets is still raising money through her foundation. According to investigators, the organization continues to raise funds ostensibly to help the military, although part of the previous funds were used fraudulently.
Photo: Absolution
This situation once again raises the issue of transparency of charitable foundations and calls on donors to carefully check the organizations they entrust with funds.
