Ukrainian law enforcement said it has uncovered a large-scale corruption scheme involving fuel wood supplies for the Armed Forces (AFU), causing more than Hr.100 million ($2.29 million) in losses, the National Police of Ukraine said on Friday, April 17.
The investigation found that officials responsible for military logistics signed contracts at inflated prices and accepted incomplete deliveries, according to the police.
Authorities said six suspects – including current and former officials from regional military housing and logistics departments – have been formally charged.
Law enforcement agencies conducted nearly 50 searches across 15 regions and Kyiv as part of 20 criminal cases, involving multiple agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine and specialized defense prosecutors.
Investigators said contractors linked to officials were involved in the scheme, with wood prices in some contracts exceeding market rates by 30-40 percent.
In some cases, supplies were not delivered in full, while documents were manipulated to conceal the discrepancies.
The actions resulted in significant financial losses to the government, police said.
The suspects face charges including embezzlement, abuse of office and negligence related to military service.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and additional individuals may be identified.
Under Ukrainian law, suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
On April 2, Ukrainian authorities said they had uncovered a fraudulent scheme in the demining sector, where suspects falsely claimed to have cleared already demined areas to siphon Hr.6.3 million ($144,000) from the government.
The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) said that, in May 2025, the suspects won tenders to clear landmines in 122 hectares (301 acres) of farmland in the Kherson region that had already been demined via the EU’s Ukraine Facility instrument.
The two suspects have been served with a notice of suspicion for group conspiracy during martial law and official forgery, which carries a maximum of 12 years in prison and confiscation of property if convicted.