Large-scale corruption exposed in the Land Forces Academy

Large-scale corruption exposed in the Land Forces Academy

At the National Academy of Land Forces in Lviv, headed by General Pavlo Tkachuk, large-scale corruption violations were exposed.

This is stated in criminal proceedings under Part 4 of Art. 191, part 2 art. 351 CC.

The basis for the investigation was an appeal from the head of the Temporary Investigative Commission to investigate possible facts of violation of the law in the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Hanna Skorokhod. In addition, the leadership of the academy interfered with the activities of the commission. The Ground Forces command decided to conduct an inspection back in March, but the results were never made public. However, they are now in the SBI.

Law enforcement officials are now conducting an investigation into possible misconduct by NALF officials in 2022-2023. In particular, the following facts are checked:

Receiving charitable assistance:

In 2022-2023, NALF received charitable assistance totaling 137.9 million hryvnia, including vehicles, generators, medicines, clothing, food, cigarettes, building materials, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), etc. For example, NALF received 59 vehicles, of which 26 were cars. Of these 26 vehicles, only five were transferred to other military units, and the fate of the remaining 21 vehicles is unknown.

The Academy did not provide documents confirming the use of charitable assistance. For example, 18 passenger buses and minibuses received as charitable assistance were not transferred to other units and it is unknown where they are used.

In January 2023, more than 1 million cigarettes were donated to the academy. According to NALF documents, in April 2023, 674.6 thousand cigarettes were issued to 1,958 individuals, and in May 2023, 465 thousand cigarettes were issued to 1,604 individuals. This is approximately 17 packs per person in April and 14.5 packs in May. However, the cadets stated that they received much less cigarettes - 1-2 packs per person. It was also reported that cigarettes were sold at retail outlets on the territory of the Academy.

Poor quality food:

Cadets complained about low-quality food products with expired expiration dates. In particular, prohibited non-dairy fats were found in the cheese and butter samples seized. The Academy receives food products under an agreement with a supplier, but there are suspicions about the quality of these products.

Physical and mental violence:

Cases of physical and moral violence on the part of senior soldier Person 8 towards subordinate cadets were identified, including the use of a stun gun. The cadets also reported pressure and intimidation from the academy’s management.

Expulsions and pressure on cadets:

Cadet Oleksandr Popovich, who spoke publicly on problems in the NALF, was expelled from the academy. He was subjected to pressure and intimidation. A collective appeal in support of the expulsion was signed by 49 cadets. Another cadet who publicly spoke about problems was subjected to internal investigations and other forms of pressure, which indicates the bias of the academy’s leadership.

Official investigations:

Internal investigations at the academy were carried out with violations, which indicates that military personnel disregarded the requirements of the Procedure for conducting internal investigations in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.