According to investigators, millions of funds for the purchase of protective vests for the Ukrainian army have been misappropriated. The State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine estimated the damage on Thursday at 250 million hryvnia (nearly 7 million euros). The suspicion is directed against the former director of patent authority Ukrpatent, a senior official at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and head of an aid organization.
According to information in Kiev, the state money would have been transferred to the accounts of a volunteer organization – with the alleged order to buy bulletproof vests for the soldiers.
Instead, the money was moved through shell companies and turned into cash. So it came into the hands of the suspect. They face up to 12 years in prison if convicted.
State apparatus still corrupt?
Despite improvements in recent years, the Ukrainian state apparatus still has a reputation for being prone to corruption. At the same time, a highly engaged civil society is helping the country attacked by Russia to survive. Thousands of volunteers help not only refugees and neighbors who have been bombed. They also collect money and in-kind donations, from sleeping bags to body armor to military vehicles.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
