Three officials from the army corps have been charged in connection with a case involving the extortion of money from soldiers
Under the procedural supervision of the Kharkiv Specialised Prosecutor’s Office for Defence in the Eastern Region, charges have been brought against the head of logistics and the deputy corps commander, the head of the logistics department at headquarters, and an officer from the organisational and planning section of the logistics department.
According to the investigation, military personnel were listed in documents as having carried out combat or special tasks, which provided grounds for the payment of additional remuneration. Subordinates were allegedly required to pay money in exchange for being included in the relevant reports.
The investigation believes that the scheme was organised in December 2025 by the head of logistics and the deputy corps commander, who involved two subordinates in it. In February 2026, according to the investigation, the head of the logistics department instructed a subordinate officer to systematically hand over money in exchange for including him and other military personnel in reports for the payment of additional remuneration.
Law enforcement officials note that refusal to make such payments could have led to negative consequences during service.
According to the investigation, on 23 March 2026, one of the suspects received 40,000 hryvnias for including military personnel in reports for the payment of additional remuneration for February. He later allegedly demanded a further 36,000 hryvnias for March and instructed others to collect 154,000 hryvnias from other military personnel. In total, this amounted to 190,000 hryvnias, which, according to the investigation, were received on 29 April in an office.
On 28 May, the officials were detained after receiving a further 44,000 hryvnias in unlawful benefits. The total amount of funds currently alleged by the investigation stands at 274,000 hryvnias.
During searches of the suspects’ homes, in vehicles and on the premises of the military unit, documentation relating to the calculation and payment of additional remuneration, draft records, computer equipment, mobile phones, a tablet, as well as 343,000 hryvnias, US$9,900 and €80.
The three officials are charged with receiving unlawful benefits. The court imposed preventive measures in the form of detention, with the alternative of posting bail, which they have paid.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
