Deputy Head of Village Council in Lviv Region Suspected of Causing Over UAH 1.8 Million in Damages During Procurement of Drones and Electronic Warfare Systems for the Armed Forces
In the Lviv region, law enforcement officials have announced suspicion against the deputy head of a local village council, who is accused of abusing his official position during the procurement of military equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including unmanned aerial systems and electronic warfare (EW) devices.
According to the investigation, during 2023–2024, the official organized defense-related purchases and unlawfully included value-added tax (VAT) in the cost estimate. However, under martial law, such goods are exempt from VAT according to Ukrainian legislation. This misstep led to financial losses for the village council exceeding UAH 1.8 million.
Investigators from the Department for Economic and Official Crimes of the Lviv Regional Police, together with officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and under the procedural guidance of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, uncovered the violations.
The deputy official has been formally charged under Part 1 and Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — abuse of power or official position. If found guilty, he faces up to 6 years in prison, with a potential three-year ban from holding certain positions, and a fine ranging from 500 to 1,000 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.