Ukrainian defense institute official detained over bribe demand from camouflage supplier
An official at a state military research institute in Cherkasy region was detained after allegedly extorting a €10,000 bribe from a supplier of camouflage gear for the army. The suspect was caught in the act while receiving the full amount.
An official of a state scientific research institute under Ukraine's Armed Forces has been detained in Cherkasy region on suspicion of extorting a €10,000 bribe from a supplier of camouflage equipment for the military, according to Ukraine's National Police Strategic Investigations Department, a specialized defense-sector prosecutor's office, and the Security Service of Ukraine.
According to investigators, the suspect is Vadym Lilchytskyi, an employee of the State Scientific Research Institute of Testing and Certification of Weapons and Military Equipment. He headed one of the institute's departments and allegedly demanded money from an entrepreneur supplying anti-thermal-imaging camouflage kits designed to protect soldiers from detection by drones equipped with thermal cameras.
How the extortion unfolded
In June 2025, the equipment was tested at the institute where the suspect works, and a protocol confirming compliance with required standards was signed, with the suspect among the signatories. The entrepreneur subsequently won a state procurement tender and signed contracts to supply the gear to military units.
In late August 2026, the official contacted the entrepreneur, claiming that the test protocol included in the tender documents did not match the actual research results. He threatened criminal prosecution and demanded 10,000 euros, promising that in exchange he would not seek to have the test protocol annulled and would not inform military customers of the alleged non-compliance — which could have ended the entrepreneur's cooperation with military units. He also promised to arrange a repeat test with a favorable conclusion.
To conceal the scheme, the suspect instructed that the money be transferred via a parcel locker. In September 2026, after receiving the full bribe amount, he was caught and detained, and the money was seized.
A court ordered the suspect held in custody with an option for bail. According to Ukrainska Pravda, the suspect was released from the pretrial detention center on 14 September after posting bail.
