A shocking corruption case has rocked Ukraine, as authorities uncovered vast sums of money during a raid at the home of a senior medical official in Khmelnytskyi. The suspect, Tetyana Krupá, a high-ranking government employee in charge of medical exemptions for military service, was arrested alongside her son after investigators discovered nearly $6 million in various currencies, a staggering amount given Ukraine's economic struggles amid the ongoing war with Russia.
During the raid, investigators were met with an extraordinary scene—a photo circulated online showing Krupá’s son lying on a bed covered in piles of cash. Although some reports suggest the image may have been staged, it undeniably symbolizes the rampant corruption uncovered in the investigation. Among the seized assets were $5.24 million in U.S. dollars, €300,000, and 5 million hryvnias, Ukraine’s local currency. Investigators also found luxury items, including jewelry and branded valuables.
The son of attempted corrupt Ukrainian official was caught laying in bed surrounded by 6 million Ukrainian dollars. The numbers are extraordinary for Ukraine. His father is in Zelensky's political party and could give men medical exemptions for war.https://t.co/8w7KgUxz86
— Robbie Mouton (@mcgmouton57) October 9, 2024
Krupá, a member of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s "Servant of the People" party, is accused of abusing her position by selling fraudulent medical exemptions. These documents allowed wealthy Ukrainian men to dodge military conscription, a serious offense given Ukraine’s need for manpower in its fight against Russian forces. Investigators discovered that her entire family had benefitted from these schemes, with all the male relatives listed as medically “disabled” and thus exempt from service.
The extent of Krupá’s wealth was astounding. In addition to the cash and valuables seized from her home, the investigation revealed that she owned 30 properties spread across Khmelnytskyi, Lviv, and Kyiv. These assets included luxury vehicles, a hotel, and a restaurant complex. Investigators also linked her to foreign properties in Spain, Austria, and Turkey, along with approximately $2.3 million held in overseas bank accounts.
This is the son of the russian propagandist Solovyov…
😂😂 скрєпно шо капець pic.twitter.com/ZX8Avf4Uju— Ірина Крупка🇺🇦 (@Irina_Krupka) October 6, 2024
The scandal has sparked outrage across Ukraine, where the war has taken a severe toll on ordinary citizens, and many men are forcibly conscripted to fight on the frontlines. In contrast, the wealthy and well-connected seem able to buy their way out of military service. The sight of stacks of cash amid ongoing national hardship has struck a nerve, highlighting the stark inequality between Ukraine’s ruling elite and its struggling population.
In a dramatic moment during the raid, authorities say Krupá attempted to dispose of evidence by throwing bags of cash out of a window. One of the bags contained approximately half a million dollars. Investigators also found forged medical documents listing numerous fictitious disabilities used to secure conscription exemptions. In addition to facing charges of fraud, misrepresentation, and money laundering, Krupá and her son could face severe legal consequences under Ukraine's anti-corruption laws.
This case is part of a broader pattern of corruption within Ukraine's political class, even as the country battles an existential threat from Russia. President Zelensky has tried to crack down on corruption since taking office, but cases like this undermine his administration’s credibility. The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), responsible for leading the raid, has vowed to continue targeting officials exploiting their positions during the war.
Public outrage is expected to mount as more details of the investigation emerge, with many calling for stricter measures to curb corruption in Ukraine’s government. As the war drags on, the divide between the nation’s elite and its citizens grows ever wider, and this latest scandal is likely to fuel further discontent.
