A psychiatrist of the Ukrainian army was accused of corruption for 1 million dollars

Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has arrested its army chief psychiatrist on charges of “illegal enrichment” in connection with more than $1 million (£813,000) in earnings.

In a statement, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said the man sits on a commission that determines whether individuals are eligible for military service.

The SBU statement did not name him – but a man named Oleh Druzh was previously identified as the chief psychiatrist of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The SBU said he owned three apartments in or near Kiev, one in Odesa, two plots of land and several BMW luxury cars, and when investigators searched his home they found $152,000 (£124,000) and €34,000 in cash.

The statement said the person did not declare the property registered in the name of his wife, daughter, son and other third parties.

He now faces ten years in prison on charges of illegal enrichment and making false statements.

Druze In 2017, he failed to declare two SUVs and several properties in the same situation, which led to his suspension.

Ukraine has long struggled with chronic corruption.

In May, a Ukrainian MP was charged with embezzling £220,000, and in 2023 more than 30 recruitment officials accused of accepting bribes and smuggling people out of the country were sacked in an anti-corruption purge.

Last year, Ukraine’s parliament voted to disband military medical commissions, and several officials have been accused of accepting bribes in exchange for exemptions from military service.