A court has remanded two suspects in custody in connection with a case involving a multi-million-pound bribe for drones

Diana Shevchenko
Diana Shevchenko Journalist
A court has remanded two suspects in custody in connection with a case involving a multi-million-pound bribe for drones
Stock photo
The High Anti-Corruption Court has imposed preventive measures on an official of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the owner of a drone manufacturing company, who are suspected of demanding a bribe of $1 million during the procurement of drones for the State Border Guard Service

This was reported by the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.

The court set bail for both suspects

Following a decision by the investigating judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court, the official from the State Border Guard Service Administration was remanded in custody with the option of posting bail of 4 million hryvnias. The owner of a private drone manufacturing company was remanded in custody with the option of posting bail of 44.262 million hryvnias.

What is known about the case

According to the investigation, the State Border Service official organised the procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles for the agency’s units and set the tender conditions in such a way that a company controlled by his accomplice would win. The SAPO claims that during the procurement process, another participant emerged who offered to supply 270 unmanned aerial systems for 825 million UAH. Subsequently, the company submitted an updated bid, reducing the contract value to 760 million UAH, after which it won the tender.

The investigation alleges the extortion of $1 million

According to the NABU and the SAPO, following the defeat of the company under their control, the suspects decided to obtain an unlawful benefit from the winning bidder. The investigation believes that the company’s owner began persuading the head of the winning company to provide a bribe in exchange for the unhindered conclusion and performance of the future contract. To back up his demands, according to law enforcement, he arranged a telephone conversation with a representative of the State Border Guard Service. The SAPO notes that the amount of the unlawful benefit was $1 million, or between 5% and 10% of the value of the future contract. According to the investigation, these funds were to be distributed among the participants in the scheme and certain officials of the State Border Guard Service.

What charges have been brought against the suspects

The State Border Guard Service official is charged with committing an offence under Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The company owner has been notified of charges under Part 4 of Article 27 and Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The SAPO noted that the pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

Follow us on Telegram

Share tittle
Society
Church holiday on 22 July 2026: what women must not do
Society

Church holiday on 22 July 2026: what women must not do

According to the new church calendar, on 22 July, the faithful honour Mary Magdalene, Equal to the Apostles – one of the most famous followers of Jesus Christ. In folk tradition, this day is known as ‘Mary the Berry-Gatherer’ and ‘Fiery Mary’.

22.07.2026
Anna Neplyakh spoke about her romance with businessman Gudkov and the lavish gifts they gave each other
Society

Anna Neplyakh spoke about her romance with businessman Gudkov and the lavish gifts they gave each other

Anna Neplyakh, winner of the ‘Miss Ukraine Universe 2021’ beauty pageant, is no longer keeping her private life under wraps. The model spoke about her relationship with Kyiv-based businessman Oleksandr Gudkov and revealed the surprises they treat each other to.

21.07.2026
Ricky Martin, who had wanted to visit Ukraine, surprised everyone with a cynical act at a concert in Kazakhstan
Society

Ricky Martin, who had wanted to visit Ukraine, surprised everyone with a cynical act at a concert in Kazakhstan

Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, who had previously expressed his support for Ukraine and had hoped to come here for a concert, unexpectedly addressed the audience in Russian during a performance in Kazakhstan. The Russians in their propaganda media are delighted with the artist’s gesture.

21.07.2026
Anna Trincher has named the popular artist she has been dreaming of marrying ever since her school days
Society

Anna Trincher has named the popular artist she has been dreaming of marrying ever since her school days

Singer Anna Trincher unexpectedly revealed that ever since her school days she had dreamt of marrying Vladimir Dantes, and it seems this crush has not faded to this day.

21.07.2026
An investigation is underway in Poland into the beating of two children for speaking Ukrainian
Society

An investigation is underway in Poland into the beating of two children for speaking Ukrainian

In the Polish city of Legnica, an unidentified woman attacked two 13-year-old girls from Ukraine on the evening of 18 July: the police are already investigating the incident.

21.07.2026
Events
An unusual toilet seat competition was held in Russia
Society

An unusual toilet seat competition was held in Russia

In Stavropol, Russia, a sanitaryware manufacturer ran a promotional campaign that caused quite a stir on social media. Visitors to one of the shopping centres were invited to drink a soft drink from the new toilet bowls, and then take part in another unusual challenge

19.07.2026
Russia has lost 75 per cent of the capacity of the Kerch ferry crossing
War

Russia has lost 75 per cent of the capacity of the Kerch ferry crossing

Robert Brovdi (call sign ‘Madyar’), Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces, stated that as a result of Operation ‘MoLoChKa’, which took place over a two-week period in July, Russia lost approximately 75 per cent of the Kerch ferry crossing’s capacity

19.07.2026
In Greece, a driver rammed his car into the entrance to a military base
Society

In Greece, a driver rammed his car into the entrance to a military base

In the town of Argos-Orestiko in northern Greece, a 52-year-old man was arrested after he drove his car into the main entrance to a military base. According to preliminary reports, the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

19.07.2026
The President of Hungary has signed a law providing for his resignation
Politics

The President of Hungary has signed a law providing for his resignation

The President of Hungary, Tamás Szujók, has signed a constitutional amendment providing for the early termination of his term of office. The document marked the final stage of a political process that had lasted several months following an initiative by Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s government

19.07.2026
The editor-in-chief of *Fakty* has reported that his daughter was attacked in the centre of Kyiv
Society

The editor-in-chief of *Fakty* has reported that his daughter was attacked in the centre of Kyiv

Oleksandr Shvets, editor-in-chief of the publication *Fakty*, has stated that his eldest daughter was assaulted at a public transport stop in the centre of Kyiv. According to him, the incident took place a few days ago on Lesya Ukrainka Boulevard

19.07.2026
Crime
Law enforcement officers have uncovered six new schemes to evade mobilisation in various regions of Ukraine
Crime

Law enforcement officers have uncovered six new schemes to evade mobilisation in various regions of Ukraine

The Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigations and the National Police have announced that they have uncovered six new schemes to evade mobilisation. According to the investigation, 15 organisers of these schemes have been detained, and more than 200 conscripts took advantage of one of the schemes.

22.07.2026
Two so-called rehabilitation centres in Kharkiv have been exposed for illegally detaining people
Crime

Two so-called rehabilitation centres in Kharkiv have been exposed for illegally detaining people

In Kharkiv, law enforcement officers have shut down two so-called rehabilitation centres where, according to the investigation, people with drug and alcohol addictions were unlawfully detained, isolated from the outside world and forced to work for free. Six suspects have been served with notices of suspicion.

22.07.2026
The Hungarian Public Prosecutor’s Office carried out searches at the offices of Orbán’s Fidesz party
Politics
  • Important

The Hungarian Public Prosecutor’s Office carried out searches at the offices of Orbán’s Fidesz party

The Hungarian party Fidesz has stated that the public prosecutor’s office carried out searches at the office where its servers are housed. The party has accused the government of attempting to obstruct its activities.

21.07.2026
They concealed explosives in saucepans. The SBU foiled a double terrorist attack in the centre of Ivano-Frankivsk
Crime

They concealed explosives in saucepans. The SBU foiled a double terrorist attack in the centre of Ivano-Frankivsk

The Security Service of Ukraine foiled a double terrorist attack in the courtyard of a residential complex in the centre of Ivano-Frankivsk.

21.07.2026
Boris Johnson is calling for urgent measures to be taken to put a stop to a cigarette smuggling ring from Ukraine worth 200 million pounds sterling
Crime

Boris Johnson is calling for urgent measures to be taken to put a stop to a cigarette smuggling ring from Ukraine worth 200 million pounds sterling

According to the Daily Mail, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on the British authorities to take action over the possible involvement of companies registered in the UK in a scheme to illegally manufacture and sell tobacco products in Ukraine. According to the publication, criminal proceedings are ongoing in Ukraine, and no court ruling has yet been issued in the case.

21.07.2026