The NABU and the SAPO reported suspicions against officials of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection and representatives of private companies for allegedly organizing a scheme to embezzle budget funds during the procurement of drones for Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

According to the investigation, between May and September 2023, Special Communications purchased 400 DJI Mavic 3 drones and 1,300 Autel Evo Max 4T drones at prices 70–90% higher than market value, causing losses to the state exceeding UAH 90 million. The intent to misappropriate public funds allegedly arose after UAH 30 billion was allocated to the agency in 2023 for UAV procurement.

Currently, investigators have frozen more than USD 4 million in foreign accounts and UAH 17 million in Ukraine. Two Special Communications officials and two company representatives have been served with notices of suspicion for embezzlement of public funds in especially large amounts.