On 30 December, Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation uncovered a military unit commander in Donetsk and his subordinate, who were systematically embezzling fuel from their unit. The investigators found that over several months, they had illegally taken more than 17 tons of diesel and gasoline.
Detection and accountability: how the state acts
The scheme was organized by the military unit commander, who involved a longtime friend, his subordinate.
"According to the investigation, from May to October 2025, the perpetrators wrote off diesel and gasoline almost every 10 days,” the DBR reported.
The stolen fuel was transported to Zaporizhzhia Oblast, disguised as part of official requests for combat operations.
Evidence and DBR operation
During a routine unloading of the “written-off” fuel, DBR officers caught the soldiers in the act.
Among the items seized were:
- 980 liters of diesel fuel and 800 liters of gasoline
- Official documentation
- Experimental samples of fuel and lubricants
- Other evidence of illegal activity
Responsibility and consequences
The soldiers were notified of suspicion under Part 2, Article 27, Part 4, Article 410 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which is theft of military property by abusing an official position during wartime. They face up to 15 years in prison.
The suspects are currently in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are identifying possible accomplices and taking measures to recover state losses.
