Ukraine NABU Alleges UAH 150 Million Laundering Through State-Owned Bank

Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have disclosed an investigation into an alleged criminal organization involving current and former members of parliament, senior public officials and other participants, including a money-laundering episode involving UAH 150 million in cash.

NABU said the organization was exposed on 20 August 2026, after notices of suspicion were served to members and alleged accomplices on 19 August. The case remains under investigation and the allegations have not resulted in final convictions.

UAH 150 million allegedly moved through shell-company accounts

According to NABU, certain members of the alleged organization, acting in collusion with representatives and officials of a state-owned bank, organized and facilitated the laundering of criminal proceeds during June 2026.

The amount identified by investigators was UAH 150 million in cash. NABU said the money was moved into the legal financial system through a series of accounts held by shell companies and was then used to pay bail for one of the organization’s members in the separate “Midas” case.

The official release does not identify the state-owned bank or provide a full transaction-by-transaction account of the laundering route. AML Observatory therefore does not infer the bank’s identity or additional fund-flow details beyond those disclosed by NABU.

Corporate raiding allegations also form part of the case

NABU said the broader organization was also allegedly involved in attempts to obtain valuable real estate and other corporate assets through unauthorized interference with automated systems of Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice, forged court decisions and falsified ownership documents. Investigators said those efforts were not completed due to circumstances beyond the group’s control.

The investigation also alleges that members planned an unlawful deprivation of liberty and kidnapping in order to gain control over a business entity. NABU said that plan was prevented before completion.

The suspects’ alleged conduct is being investigated under Articles 255, 191, 206-2, 209, 358 and 361 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code. Article 209 covers legalization, or laundering, of criminal proceeds.

The case is notable for the alleged use of shell-company accounts and a regulated banking channel to introduce a large cash amount into the formal financial system. For financial institutions, it also illustrates the importance of monitoring unusual corporate-account flows where the stated business purpose does not align with the source, timing or ultimate use of funds.