In brief
Investigators allege that 5,100 drones were purchased at prices 60–90% above market rates. Five people are suspects.
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office have completed a pretrial investigation into the alleged embezzlement of Hr 254 million in drone purchases for the defence forces, LIGA.net reported on October 20, citing NABU.
Investigators allege that officials at the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection signed contracts with three linked companies in May and September 2023 for 5,100 DJI and Autel drones. They say winners were selected in advance and other controlled companies were used to create the appearance of competition.
According to investigators, the proceeds from inflated prices were transferred to accounts held by controlled companies, including abroad. The five suspects are two agency officials and three private-company representatives, suspected of embezzlement on an especially large scale.
NABU and prosecutors also secured freezes on more than $4 million in company accounts abroad and Hr 17 million in Ukraine, LIGA.net reported. Completion of the investigation is not a finding of guilt; the report did not cite a verdict.