On May 14, the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) of Ukraine announced that it has charged a former Minister of Infrastructure with evading military service. This development follows an investigation into the official’s conduct during his military duty.
The SBI’s statement indicated that the former minister had been serving as an officer in the planning group of a military unit after being mobilized. However, he allegedly failed to fulfill his official responsibilities for an extended period.
“SBI officials reported the suspicion against the former Minister of Infrastructure, who, after mobilization, served as an officer in the planning group of a military unit but did not perform his duties for a long time,” the agency stated.
According to the investigation, the official was expected to gather and analyze information regarding combat conditions, oversee the execution of commands, and prepare proposals for military planning. Instead, he reportedly misled his superiors, claiming to be engaged in other logistical tasks related to the unit’s operations.
The SBI noted that from 2022 to 2023, the individual used his official time at his discretion and did not carry out any duties associated with his military service in the unit stationed in the Cherkasy region.
He has been charged under Article 409, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which pertains to a military officer’s evasion of service duties through deception. This article carries a potential penalty of up to ten years in prison.
The former Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure has been charged with evading military service, following allegations that he misled superiors about his duties. The investigation highlights concerns regarding military accountability amid ongoing conflicts.