Two senior officials in Ukraine’s military and security services have been charged with corruption related to a significant construction project for aircraft shelters. The allegations, announced by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko on February 26, involve misuse of authority and the offering of bribes during a time of martial law.
The implicated individuals include the commander of logistics for the Ukrainian Air Force and the head of the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) office in the Zhytomyr region. They are accused of conspiring to exceed their official powers and providing illegal benefits to a public servant.
This case centers on a budget allocation of 1.4 billion hryvnias for the construction of modular shelters designed to protect aircraft. Following inspections that revealed the structures did not meet engineering safety standards, the officials allegedly offered 13.8 million hryvnias—approximately 1% of the total contract value—to ensure the military counterintelligence of the SBU would not intervene and to engage compliant private auditors to produce favorable assessments of the construction quality.
Kravchenko emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting the irony that those involved were tasked with preventing such criminal activities. He highlighted the specific role of the head of the SBU in Zhytomyr, who reportedly involved a trusted contractor in the construction process.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are currently determining appropriate preventive measures for the detained suspects. On February 25, Kravchenko had previously indicated that the officials were apprehended for their involvement in corrupt practices related to the aircraft shelters.
In response to the allegations, the Ukrainian Air Force has initiated an internal investigation. The SBU has not yet issued any public statements regarding the case.
Ukrainian military and security officials are under investigation for corruption linked to a major aircraft shelter construction project. Allegations include misuse of authority and bribery amid ongoing martial law.