The chief psychiatrist of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was detained on suspicion of illegally accumulating $1 million in wealth.
In Kyiv, the Security Service of Ukraine detained the head of the psychiatric clinic of the Main Military Hospital. He is suspected of illegal enrichment exceeding one million dollars, reported by the press services of the SBU and the Office of the Prosecutor General on Tuesday, January 21.
The law enforcement agencies did not specify the name of the individual involved; however, according to "Ukrainska Pravda," it is about Oleh Druzy – the head of the psychiatric clinic of the National Military Medical Clinical Center "Main Military Clinical Hospital," the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the deputy head of the Central Military Medical Commission. In this position, he assesses the fitness of servicemen for military service.
"According to the case materials, this official acquired unjustified assets totaling over 1 million USD during the full-scale invasion. Moreover, the individual did not declare the relevant property and registered it under the names of his wife, daughter, sons, and other third parties," the SBU press service reported.
According to the investigation, between 2022 and 2024, Druzy acquired:
- a private house in the Obukhiv district of Kyiv region;
- two apartments in Kyiv;
- an apartment in Odesa;
- two plots of land in the Obukhiv district;
- BMW X7 of 2024 model year;
- BMW X7 of 2022 model year;
- BMW X5 of 2023 model year;
- BMW X3 of 2022 model year.
Additionally, the man accumulated cash in various currencies totaling approximately 8 million UAH – during searches, 152 thousand dollars and 34 thousand euros were found in his possession. According to law enforcement, such income significantly exceeds his legal earnings.
The official has been detained and informed of the suspicion under Article 368-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal enrichment) and Article 366-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (declaration of false information). He faces up to 10 years in prison.
Currently, law enforcement agencies are considering the issue of choosing a preventive measure for Druzy.
Scandals Surrounding Oleh Druzy
Recall that in the spring of 2017, Oleh Druzy was caught attempting to receive a bribe of 52 thousand UAH. At that time, the official was trying to obtain money for confirming the unfitness of a conscript. However, just a few months later, the prosecutor's office closed the case against him due to the "lack of a crime."
Additionally, Druzy was involved in scandals with servicemen – in September 2017, he claimed that allegedly 93% of ATO participants are "a potential threat to society."
"As international experience shows, combat participants may pose a threat to their own families and society upon returning to civilian life. According to statistics, 93% of them require qualified support and assistance due to the effects of combat stress factors," Druzy stated at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Health Care.
The words of the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine sparked a negative reaction on social media. Combat participants even launched a flash mob called "I am one of the 93%."
On September 20, 2017, then-Minister of Defense Stepan Poltorak removed Druzy from his position as head of the psychiatric clinic of the Main Military Clinical Hospital.
However, in October of that year, volunteers and staff of the Central Military Hospital reported that Oleh Druzy continued to perform his duties and attended work at the psychiatric clinic. As of January 2024, Druzy still holds the position of head of the psychiatric clinic of the Main Clinical Hospital.