Law enforcement agencies, in conjunction with the prosecutor's office, have uncovered a criminal group led by a former deputy mayor of Kharkiv. The members of this organization are suspected of embezzling funds allocated for the construction of defensive structures.

Sources: General Prosecutor's Office, National Police, sources from UP in law enforcement agencies

Details: According to law enforcement sources, the case involves Andriy Ivanovych Rudenko, who served as the deputy mayor for housing and communal services from 2015 to 2024.

According to the Specialized Prosecutor's Office, five individuals have been charged with creating a criminal organization. The group included four members, comprising two business leaders and two entrepreneurs.

The investigation revealed that the organizer, along with the director of one of the companies involved, recruited two entrepreneurs to execute inflated purchases for the construction of fortification structures at prices exceeding market value by over 30%.

Quote: "The investigation established that as a result of the group's criminal activity, the state incurred losses amounting to 5.4 million hryvnias. Further episodes of the criminal organization's activities will be examined during the pre-trial investigation."

Details: During searches in Kharkiv, law enforcement seized computer equipment and financial documents.

All participants in the criminal organization are charged with involvement in criminal activities and embezzlement of budget funds on a large scale under martial law.

The organizer has been charged with several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, including the creation of a criminal organization and misappropriation of funds. The executors are also suspected of committing these crimes together.

All suspects have been detained, and the prosecutor's office has filed a motion for their detention without bail.