Ukraine has detained the chief psychiatrist of its army on charges of "illegal enrichment" allegedly linked to earnings exceeding $1 million (£813,000) since Russia's invasion in February 2022. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) explained that the man served on a commission assessing individuals' suitability for military duty.
Although the SBU did not disclose his name, previously identified as the Ukrainian Armed Forces' chief psychiatrist was a man named Oleh Druz. The SBU revealed that he possessed three apartments in or near Kyiv, one in Odesa, two plots of land, multiple BMW luxury vehicles, as well as cash amounting to $152,000 (£124,000) and €34,000 found during a search of his residence.
According to the statement, the man had not reported these assets, which were registered under his wife, daughter, sons, and others. He now faces a potential ten-year prison sentence for charges of illegal enrichment and false declaration. Druz had been involved in a similar case in 2017 when he failed to report two SUVs and multiple properties, resulting in his suspension.
Ukraine has been battling pervasive corruption for a long time. Recent incidents include a Ukrainian MP being accused of embezzling £220,000 in May, and in 2023 over 30 conscription officials were dismissed in an anti-corruption crackdown for alleged involvement in bribery and human smuggling.
In a move to combat corruption, the Ukrainian parliament abolished military medical commissions last year after officials were accused of accepting bribes to exempt individuals from military service.