Dpty commander accused of using soldiers for grave work – SBI

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have exposed the deputy commander of one of the military units in the Lviv region, who instead of service sent servicemen to perform private work, the SBI reports.

On Telegram on Monday, the Bureau notes that the soldiers laid paving stones, made repairs in the house of the deputy commander of the military unit and even installed monuments on graves.

According to the investigation, the deputy commander "helped" an acquaintance of an entrepreneur who complained that there were no workers to lay paving stones.

"At his request, the commander "allocated" several servicemen who actually worked for the entrepreneur. During March - September 2025, these servicemen, receiving financial support from the unit, laid paving stones at several sites within the Lviv region," the report says.

The department emphasizes that the work was carried out on behalf of territorial communities with which the entrepreneur had concluded contracts.

The amount of damage caused to the state budget due to the absence of military personnel on duty is currently being determined by forensic economic examinations.

"It was also established that during his vacation, the deputy commander involved three subordinates in the repair of his own house in Vinnytsia region, and they also installed monuments on the graves of his parents," the SBI informs.

In addition, according to preliminary information, the official obstructed the execution of the order of the higher command to send one of the servicemen to the combat zone, inciting him to leave the unit without permission.

The deputy commander was notified of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 426-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - abuse of power or official authority by a military official.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

The suspect was chosen as a preventive measure in the form of detention with the right to post bail in excess of UAH 1 million. He was also removed from his position.

Procedural management is provided by the Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office of the Western Region.