Law enforcement agencies in the Odesa region have uncovered a massive military salary fraud scheme. The command of a local military unit embezzled nearly 16.7 million UAH by registering “ghost soldiers.” This was officially reported by the National Police of Ukraine on Monday, April 20.
Investigators found that the commander of the military unit, alongside three deputies and a company commander, formed an organized criminal group. Operating between 2022 and 2025, they targeted draft-age men seeking to evade active duty. For a price or a mutual financial agreement, these men were officially enlisted but never actually served. Fake service records and deployment logs were meticulously generated to support the illusion of their active duty and presence at the unit.
These fabricated records formed the legal basis for regular salary payouts, combat bonuses, and additional state allowances. The state funds were transferred directly to the bank accounts of the pseudo-servicemen. The money was subsequently withdrawn in cash and divided among the corrupt military command. In total, the group registered at least 19 individuals who completely shirked their military duties, draining the state budget of 16.7 million UAH.
Such systemic abuses not only drain critical financial resources needed for weapons and ammunition but also deal a heavy psychological blow to the real soldiers who risk their lives on the front lines every day. While genuine servicemen and women earn their pay through combat and sacrifice, corrupt commanders exploit the system to enrich themselves.
The scale of the investigation required immense coordination. The National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted over 100 authorized searches across multiple regions of Ukraine. During these raids, detectives seized a mountain of evidence, including forged personnel documents, rough accounting notes, laptops, mobile phones, numerous bank cards, and significant amounts of unaccounted cash. This joint operation underscores the state’s commitment to rooting out wartime graft, as the confiscated evidence leaves the suspects with little room to maneuver.
The suspects have been served notices of suspicion under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, dealing with embezzlement and abuse of power. They face up to 10 years in prison for their crimes against the state. The court has already remanded the defendants in custody, with the option of posting a multi-million hryvnia bail.
This incident highlights an ongoing struggle against internal corruption within certain echelons of the military bureaucracy. Previously, authorities exposed 13 military officials across nine regions who illegally paid out over 13 million UAH to soldiers not present in combat zones. Similarly, an extensive scheme was uncovered in the 110th Mechanized Brigade, where over 50 soldiers bribed their commanders with half their salaries to avoid military duties altogether. Eradicating such schemes is vital for maintaining societal trust and international support while Ukraine relies on taxes and foreign aid to sustain its defense.