Unveiling a Large-Scale Fake Disability Scheme in Kyiv Region: An In-Depth Analysis of Corruption within the Medical and Social Expertise System
Law enforcement authorities in Ukraine have carried out a large operation aimed at dismantling a corrupt organization involved in issuing counterfeit disability certificates.
According to information obtained from the Office of the Prosecutor General and the National Police, the scandal centers around a former head of the Central Medical and Social Expertise Commission of the Ministry of Health — Volodymyr Marunysh, along with accomplices who engaged in forgery and fraudulent schemes to illegally profit financially.
After meticulous investigative actions, it was established that this organized group systematically issued evaluation reports and disability certificates to citizens who did not meet the legal criteria for disability, yet received official documents enabling them to access state benefits, pensions, and exemption from military service.The criminal involvement extended to his deputy, who is now practicing as a lawyer, as well as doctors and commission members.
Suspects are accused of abuse of office and document forgery, which resulted in unauthorized payments from the Ukrainian budget exceeding 2.8 million hryvnias, thus causing significant damage to the state treasury.
The illegal activities persisted even in January 2025 — just days before the liquidation of the agency — indicating the extensive influence and well-organized nature of the scheme.In August 2025, law enforcement conducted over a dozen simultaneous searches at the residences of the suspects, during which documents, seals, electronic storage devices, and other evidence of criminal activity were confiscated.
All suspects have been formally charged with preventive measures.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities identifying additional individuals involved in the illegal scheme, as well as verifying the circle of citizens who received disability certificates without legitimate grounds.
This case highlights the level of corruption and betrayal of public trust inherent in the medical and social expertise system and marks an important step in the fight against forgery and fraud within Ukraine’s governmental institutions.