Air Force logistics commander and SBU head in Zhytomyr Oblast detained on suspicion of corruption

According to investigators, the May 2025 allocation for prefabricated arched structures to protect aviation assets was marred by serious violations: the designs failed to meet safety standards, offered inadequate protection, and were significantly overpriced. Despite these findings by the SBU's military counterintelligence department, advance payments began under the contracts.

The Air Force logistics commander allegedly approached the Zhytomyr SBU chief, identified by Defense Ministry adviser Serhiy Sternenko as Volodymyr Kompanichenko, to halt the probe and conceal the misappropriation of funds. The SBU official reportedly agreed to act as a guarantor, having personally recruited one of the contractors into the scheme.

Prosecutors say the officials planned to pay approximately 13 million hryvnias (about 1% of the project funding) — including an initial $320,000 handed over — to bribe military counterintelligence leadership and secure favorable fake audit reports on construction quality.

Both men were caught red-handed and detained during the bribe transfer on February 25.

The officials have now been arrested. They are being charged under Art. 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (offer, promise or provision of an unlawful benefit to an official) and Art. 426-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (exceedance of authority or official powers by a military official).

The SBU stated that they are continuing the self-purification of the Service and other components of the Defense Forces.

"Those involved in this crime will be held accountable under the law. I warn everyone who is thinking about similar actions in the future: punishment will be inevitable," said the acting head of the SBU, Yevhenii Khmara.