Head of Mykolaiv exposed in medical commission corruption scandal involving fake disability certificates
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered the dissolution of Ukraine’s Medical-Social Expertise Commissions after a corruption investigation revealed the involvement of high-ranking officials in acquiring fake disability certificates.
The Security Service of Ukraine says that Ukrainian law enforcement has exposed the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Medical-Social Expertise Commission for corruption schemes to avoid conscription.
Ukrainians can be exempted from military service under certain health conditions, including confirmed disabilities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that many high-ranking officials paid bribes to the Medical-Social Expertise Commission to obtain such documents.
On 22 October, the Ukrainian leader announced a National Security and Defense Council meeting regarding the situation with the commission and corruption schemes with disability certifications, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty informs. He reported “many cases of violations” and said many Ukrainian officials hold disability certificates obtained in illegal ways. He also outlined several decisions that the National Security and Defense Council made.
Following the meeting, Zelenskyy approved the commission’s dissolution for next year.
In connection with recent investigations into the recent incidents, the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Medical-Social Expertise Commission, whose name has not been disclosed by law enforcement, was found holding $450,000 in cash, a collection of jewelry hidden at various locations, and a Russian passport belonging to her son.
Most of the money and valuables were found in her son’s residence, who is a medical intern.
According to the Security Service, the man also obtained Russian citizenship at the former Russian consulate in Odesa before the full-scale war and owns three undeclared apartments.
The investigation revealed that between 2015 and 2023, the head of the commission declared only official income totaling around two million hryvnias.
The Security Service also added that in 2023, the official received disability documents for themselves and their son to collect additional state benefits and social payments.
Ukraine is currently deciding whether to charge the official formally. The investigation is ongoing.
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