A Deep Corruption Scheme in Ukraine’s Military Sphere: DGBR Uncovered the Head of the Military Medical Commission at the State Border Guard Service Who Bribed Soldiers to Reassign Them to Rear Units
As part of a large-scale anti-corruption operation, law enforcement officers detained a high-ranking official who held the position of head of the military medical commission at one of the state medical facilities of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS). According to information released by the State Bureau of Investigation (DGBR) and the Office of the General Prosecutor, this individual was involved in organizing a long-standing scheme of corruption that allowed servicemen to avoid combat duties or reduce their risks in exchange for bribes. According to investigations, the colonel of the medical service, with the help of his team, systematically transferred personnel from combat zones to rear units. This was done for a so-called "guaranteed fee"—ranging from a few thousand hryvnias to several thousand dollars, depending on the complexity and the desired commercial gain. This "service" of processing medical documents was used to artificially declare soldiers unfit for combat—due to limited health capacity or medical conditions—enabling them to evade participation in battles and stay in dangerous areas. Sources within the investigation report that the suspect offered military personnel and border guards participating in the military medical commission services for processing relevant documents. This included the legalization of fictitious health conditions, short-term leave, or referrals for treatment without any real grounds. For each such "service," the offender demanded money, which varied depending on the complexity and the client's "needs"—ranging from a few thousand hryvnias to several thousand dollars. The detention took place during the initial attempt to receive another bribe, confirming the systemic nature of the criminal activity. During searches of the suspect's office premises and residence, documents and espionage papers containing evidence of involvement in illegal decision-making regarding individual soldiers were seized. This allows investigators to speak of a large-scale corrupt network, involving not only the named individuals but possibly other members of the military medical commission. Currently, law enforcement has informed the colonel of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—receiving an unlawful benefit by a person authorized to perform official duties in an especially large amount. The sanctions for this article include imprisonment for up to 10 years with confiscation of property. Following procedural protocols, the investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement is carefully verifying the involvement of other members of the Military Medical Commission (MMC), as well as the possible participation of other military and border guard personnel. The specialized prosecutor’s office in the defense sector of the Central region is supervising the legal proceedings, promising to make every effort to identify all participants in the corruption chain and hold them accountable. Today, this case already attracts significant public interest, as uncovering a large-scale bribery system within military structures casts doubt on the integrity and professionalism of high-ranking military officials. Clearly, combating corruption in the military sphere is one of the state's priorities, as it directly impacts national security and public trust in law enforcement agencies. According to the law enforcement letter, the investigation plans not only to detain other possible accomplices involved in the criminal scheme but also to implement additional control measures and open new criminal cases in this direction. Ukraine continues its fight against corruption in all its forms, and this case serves as another stark reminder of the need to cleanse military structures from dishonest elements that undermine the combat readiness and reputation of Ukrainian armed forces.