Posted on 12/23/2023 11:05:31 AM PST by Mount Athos
A senior Ukrainian Defence Ministry official has been detained over allegations he embezzled 1.5 billion Ukrainian hryvnia ($40 million) relating to an artillery shells contract, according to the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU).
The SBU says the official signed an agreement with a special export company to purchase a wholesale batch of artillery shells in December last year.
However, a more favourable contract for the supply was later signed with the same manufacturer – one that did not involve intermediaries.
According to the SBU, the defense official extended the original – more expensive - contract and funds totalling 1.5 billion Ukrainian hryvnia ($40 million) were transferred to the accounts of an affiliated foreign intermediary firm.
The SBU says it has found documents confirming the illegal activity. The official faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.
In September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired his Defence Minister, Oleksii Reznikov, citing the need for “new approaches” amid a number of corruption scandals involving Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
Rustem Umerov, the former people’s deputy of Ukraine, was appointed as his replacement.
The following month, CNN reported that the US was increasingly urging Ukraine to do more to combat governmental corruption. Officials said Washington had issued several notices to Kyiv indicating that certain kinds of US economic aid will be linked to Ukraine’s progress in reforming its institutions.
Zelensky sought to address concerns about corruption when he travelled to Washington DC and met US Senators this month. The issue has also become more pressing after the EU agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
This is one of the greatest financial opportunities in world history for politicians, defense contractors, and other officials
Yeah but did he kick back the obligatory 10% to “the big guy?”
$40 million is small potatoes—a handful of folks are cleaning up on the grift.
See my tagline.
WHAT?! Corruption by some ukes? My shocked face...😴😴😴😴
Explains why the Neocons will not permit US money going to Ukraine to be AUDITED.
Since the US has no dog in this fight, neither do I.
But stuff like this makes me want to hope Russia beats the bleep outta the Ukes.
Note not the Zelenskis
Only 40M? I’m surprised 😲
Most of the money went/goes into pockets not War
No, that’s why he was caught. The ones who play the game are safe.
I wonder how he spent my money....
I tried to be neutral. But it became obvious a long time ago that Ukraine is bad. I don’t mind if Russia reclaims The Ukraine as a part of their nation, as it had been part for centuries.
Yep Ive said from the beginning this entire war is nothing more than a MASSIVE money laundering operation benefiting both sides of the aisle..that is why no one has demanded a cease fire, notice that, not ONE call for a cease fire..why..simple, too much damn money to be made
Well dressed lot in that picture
This poor Sap sounds like a fall guy. Zelensky will point at him and tell DC/London that the corruption is now fixed and it’s time for another check.
Where do you think Russia and Ukraine rank in corruption? and where do you think the ranking direction has been in the last decade?
Only 40 million? Has he been ‘caught’ because he wasn’t giving DC the kickbacks they wanted?
That is the real issue. He didn’t steal enough to make the minimum kickbacks.
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