The Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, and the Office of the Prosecutor General have dismantled a large-scale scheme to embezzle state funds allocated for financing higher education in Ukraine. As a result of an operation in Kyiv, officials have been exposed who embezzled money through manipulations with the staffing roster of one of the capital’s well-known higher education institutions.

According to the investigation, the suspects submitted to the Ministry of Education an artificially inflated number of students who were supposed to study at the university during 2022–2024.

During this period, the university received over UAH 760 mln (USD 17 mln) from the state to support the educational process.

The participants in the scheme embezzled a portion of the funds received.

During the searches of the officials’ offices and homes, documentation, computer equipment, and mobile phones containing evidence of the crime were found.

The criminal proceedings were initiated under Article 191.3 of the CCU (misappropriation, embezzlement, or acquisition of property through abuse of office). The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring those responsible to justice.

The perpetrators face up to 12 years in prison and confiscation of property.