According to the permanent representative of the Council of Ministers to the Rada Taras Melnichuk, Dmitry Makovsky became the acting head of the ministry.
At the meeting on November 20, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided to dismiss the head of the State Service for the Protection of Special Communications and Information of Ukraine (Gosspetsvyaz) Yuriy Shchigol and his deputy Viktor Zhora. The government representative in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnichuk announced this on the telegram channel.
“Temporary performance of duties as head of the State Service for the Protection of Special Communications and Information of Ukraine was entrusted to Dmitry Vasilyevich Makovsky,” the government representative added.
It is known that the State Special Communications Service is a body responsible for cyber protection of state information resources and critical information infrastructure facilities, especially in Ukraine.
What happened
On Monday, November 20, NABU and SAPO reported that an organized group, including senior managers of the State Special Communications Service, seized public funds worth more than 62 million hryvnia.
According to the investigation, between 2020 and 2022, a group of company owners, in collusion with the leadership of the State Special Communications Service, developed a plan to seize budget funds allocated for the purchase of equipment and software.
“Two controlled companies were involved for this purpose, and the purchase was kept secret in order to avoid open tenders and ensure their victory. The state enterprise affiliated with the State Special Communications Service signed contracts with these companies for the supply of the relevant devices.” The message states that over 285 million hryvnia of funds were transferred in 2021-2022 through software and services.
However, according to NABU, the real cost of the software purchased by companies from a foreign manufacturer was 223 million hryvnia. That is, the difference was equal to 62 million hryvnia received by participants in the criminal scheme.
“These funds were transferred to the accounts of controlled companies abroad for the purpose of legalization and distribution among members of the organized group,” investigators said.
According to NABU, six people were suspected:
- Chairman of the State Special Communications Organization and his deputy;
- general manager and employee of a state-owned enterprise;
- owner of a group of companies (organizer of the program) and one of its employees.
The issue of choosing preventive measures for the suspect according to Part 5 of Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The pre-trial investigation continues.
What is known about Yuri Shchigol
Brigadier General Yuri Shchigol has headed the State Special Communications Service since July 2020. In July 2022, the Ministry of Digital Transformation took part in the state program to provide unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukrainian fighters called “Drone Army”, jointly established by the State Special Communications Service, the General Staff and the United24 project.
He served in the Security Service of Ukraine from 2008 to 2020, holding operational and leadership positions.
Let us also remind you that the media discovered a batch of clothing for the Ukrainian Armed Forces that brought in approximately 300 thousand dollars. Journalists learned that in 2022, buyers of the Ministry of Defense bought winter jackets for the price of summer jackets, and on the way from Turkey to Ukraine, the price tripled.
Corruption scandals in Ukraine will not hinder Western military aid. This opinion was expressed by Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Mikhail Podolyak.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.