A recent investigation has revealed that U.S. Army Major General Antonio A. Aguto Jr., who served as a security assistance officer in Ukraine, was under the influence of alcohol during his deployment in May 2024. The findings were published in a report by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Inspector General’s office on March 12, 2025.
General Aguto was stationed in Ukraine from May 6 to May 15, 2024. The report indicates that on May 14, he suffered a concussion after falling in his hotel room, an incident attributed to excessive alcohol consumption. According to the investigation, he consumed two bottles of alcohol during a six-hour dinner prior to the accident.
While there were initial concerns regarding his potential impairment during official duties, the investigation ultimately found no evidence to support claims that he was intoxicated during meetings or other work-related activities.
Additionally, the report highlighted significant lapses in protocol regarding the handling of classified documents. It was determined that General Aguto failed to properly pack and seal these documents, did not obtain the necessary permissions for their transport, and lost control over them for more than 24 hours. The investigation noted,
“We found that he decided to take classified maps for use during the security assistance mission and delegated control of the maps to his staff. We did not find sufficient evidence to establish who controlled the classified maps after the travelers boarded the train for their return journey.”
The investigation into Major General Antonio A. Aguto Jr. reveals serious breaches in protocol during his deployment in Ukraine, including alcohol consumption and mishandling of classified documents. These findings raise concerns about adherence to security measures within the U.S. military's operations abroad.