NABU and SAPO expose $1 million extortion scheme in border guard drone procurement

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have exposed an alleged extortion scheme involving a State Border Guard Service official and a private defense contractor. The suspects reportedly demanded a bribe during a drone procurement process for border units.

According to investigators, a military unit under the State Border Guard Service launched a tender for unmanned aerial systems in August 2025. One manufacturer submitted a bid valued at UAH 825 million and advanced to the negotiated procurement phase.

During this process, the head of the bidding firm was contacted by the owner of a competing drone manufacturing company. The competitor claimed his firm was predestined to win the tender due to prior arrangements with border service officials. Investigators state he also pressured the rival bidder not to lower its pricing.

Despite the pressure, the first company submitted a reduced financial offer and secured the contract.

Following the award, the winning bidder was informed that a $1 million payment was required to finalize the contract and guarantee the acceptance of the delivered drones. According to NABU and SAPO, this illicit benefit was intended to be split between the rival contractor and border guard officials.

To apply further leverage, a phone call was arranged between the contractor and a State Border Guard Service representative. The official asserted that the financial demand had been approved by the service’s central administration.

Investigators state that after losing the tender, the suspect attempted to extract a portion of the contract’s value through bribery, leveraging influence over the contract-signing and product-acceptance phases.

The corporate owner has been notified of suspicion of incitement to offer a bribe in an especially large amount. Concurrently, the State Border Guard Service official is suspected of soliciting and receiving the illicit benefit.