Military Canteen Manager Caught in Food Theft Scandal
The manager of a military canteen in the Kyiv region has been exposed for organizing a systematic theft of food products intended for soldiers. The State Bureau of Investigation reports that she involved a canteen instructor and a driver in her criminal activities.
Investigators found that a portion of the food was not used in meal preparation but was instead stockpiled for resale. The stolen goods were transported using official vehicles to distribution points.
To maintain unrestricted access to supplies and conceal shortages, the canteen manager hired her own daughter, born in 2005. The girl falsified records and helped cover up the thefts.
The criminal scheme has been in operation since January of this year, with documented losses exceeding 3 million UAH.
Due to the embezzlement of food, the quality of meals in the military unit deteriorated, leading to numerous complaints from soldiers.
During a search, law enforcement seized over 600 kg of meat, 80 kg of fish, 60 kg of sausage, 110 kg of cheese, 12 kg of butter, and other products worth approximately 160,000 UAH.
The canteen manager, the instructor, and the driver were arrested.
All three have been charged under part 4 of article 410 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - theft of military property committed by a group of individuals in conspiracy under martial law.
The court has chosen a preventive measure of detention with the possibility of posting bail of nearly 1 million UAH each.
The accused face 10 to 15 years in prison.
The SBI is investigating the possible involvement of other officials in the military unit, including its commander. Additional episodes of the crime are also being established.