A former head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s public procurement department allegedly organized a scheme to steal money from food supplies intended for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU. Investigators estimate the losses at more than 71 million hryvnias, roughly $1.6 million.

The SBU said the scheme ran from 2022 to 2024 and involved large-scale food purchases for the Ukrainian army. According to the case materials, budget funds were siphoned off through state contracts for food deliveries.

Investigators say the official, who at the time headed the Defense Ministry’s procurement department, signed contracts with affiliated commercial companies. After receiving state funds, the contractors supplied food products that did not meet GOST standards. This lowered the actual cost of the goods, while the difference was allegedly divided among those involved in the scheme.

Reports of corruption in Ukraine, particularly in military procurement, have surfaced repeatedly. In December 2025, information emerged about an investigation involving senior Ukrainian military officials and the management of the defense company Praktika. Investigators suspected fraud worth tens of millions of dollars in the purchase of Kozak-5 armored vehicles.

Scandals over supplies for the Armed Forces of Ukraine had erupted earlier as well. In January 2023, Ukrainian media published an investigation into alleged theft in the Defense Ministry’s procurement system. The report claimed that prices for food in some military contracts had been inflated two to three times.