Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has arrested the chief psychiatrist of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on allegations of illegal enrichment, accusing him of accumulating more than $1 million in undeclared assets since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. While the SBU did not name the suspect, previous reports suggest the position was held by Oleh Druz.
The psychiatrist is alleged to have misused his authority as part of a commission responsible for determining military service fitness, writes The Kyiv Post.
The suspect serves as the deputy head of the Central Military Medical Commission (MMC) and is responsible for decisions regarding the fitness of military personnel for service. His detention was carried out with the approval of Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and the Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
While the arrested man’s name has not been officially disclosed, but it is known that the chief AFU’s psychiatrist post is held by Oleh Druzh.
“According to case materials, this official acquired unjustified assets worth over $1 million during the full-scale invasion. Moreover, he failed to declare the assets and registered them under his wife, daughter, sons, and other individuals,” the SBU press service reported on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Between 2022 and 2024, the suspect reportedly acquired the following:
- A private house in the Kyiv region,
- Two apartments in Kyiv city,
- An apartment in Odesa,
- Two land plots in the Kyiv region,
- Vehicles: two BMW X7 (2024 and 2022 models), a 2023 BMW X5, and a 2022 BMW X3.
The Security Service of Ukraine detained the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who became rich by more than $ 1 million during the war
According to the Security Service of Ukraine, he is the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces, who is the deputy head of the… pic.twitter.com/zZJjm6twgv
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) January 21, 2025
According to the SBU, the psychiatrist attempted to hide his wealth by registering properties under the names of his wife, children, and associates. He now faces charges of illegal enrichment and filing false declarations, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if proven guilty.
This is not the first time the psychiatrist has faced scrutiny. In 2017, he was accused of failing to disclose ownership of two SUVs and several properties, resulting in his suspension, reported the BBC.
Corruption has long been a significant challenge for Ukraine, even as the nation contends with Russia’s invasion. The government has intensified efforts to combat graft, targeting senior officials and public servants. In 2023, over 30 conscription officials were dismissed for alleged involvement in bribery and human smuggling. Earlier that year, a Ukrainian lawmaker was charged with embezzling $250,000.
To date, the United States has provided $175 billion in assistance to Ukraine since 2022, including money to ensure that its bureaucrats receive their pensions, or in the words of former President Joe Biden, ensure they “have something in their pocket.”
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