Ukraine’s chief army psychiatrist arrested on $1 million corruption charges
Ukraine has detained its army’s chief psychiatrist on charges of alleged “illicit enrichment” relating to more than $1 million (£813,000) he earned since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
In a statement, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said the man sat on a commission that decides whether individuals are suitable for military service.
The SBU statement did not name him – although a man named Oleh Druzh had previously been identified as the chief psychiatrist of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The SBU said he owned three apartments in or near Kiev, one in Odessa, two plots of land and several BMW luxury cars, and that investigators searching his home also found $152,000 (£124,000) and €34,000 in cash.
The statement said the man did not declare assets, which were registered in the name of his wife, daughter, sons and other third parties.
He will now face ten years in jail on alleged charges of illegal enrichment and making false declaration.
Druze was implicated in a similar case in 2017, in which he failed to declare two SUVs and several assets, leading to his suspension.
Ukraine has long struggled with endemic corruption.
In May, a Ukrainian MP was charged with embezzling £220,000, while more than 30 recruitment officials accused of taking bribes and smuggling people out of the country were sacked in an anti-corruption crackdown in 2023.
Last year, the Ukrainian parliament voted to abolish military medical commissions after several officials were accused of taking bribes in exchange for issuing exemptions from military service.
