Ukraine starts checks: Five days later, deputy commander was charged for $15,600 in combat pay for combat that never happened
The deputy battalion commander faces up to 12 years.
Five days after Ukraine launched a nationwide probe into soldiers' pay, a deputy commander in Odesa Oblast has been charged with issuing travel orders that sent his subordinates to non-existent combat groupings. The State Bureau of Investigation reported that the orders resulted in excessive combat pay, estimated at $15,600, being paid to soldiers who never engaged in combat.
The agency noted that such payments depend on documented confirmation of mission time and location, with higher rates awarded to those on the front lines. The travel orders procured the "Defender's Bonus" for combat participation that never occurred, taking about $15,600 without justification. The detained officer, a part of the Criminal Code's Part Five of Article 426-1, which addresses military officials exceeding authority, faces up to 12 years in prison.
This case is part of a broader investigation called "Justice for Soldiers," launched on August 20, alongside the General Staff. The operation has conducted 72 searches and prepared cases against 22 individuals, with most related to improper payments to soldiers. Twelve proceedings involve illegal calculation and receipt of payments, and 58 searches targeting suspects.
Additionally, twelve cases focus on commanders using troops for private labor, and another strand targets the misuse of soldiers themselves.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
