A former tax officer from Zhytomyr spent two years faking military service in Dnipro's territorial defense while receiving a salary.

The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) has uncovered a former civil servant from Zhytomyr region who illegally received a salary for two years by pretending to be a defender, allowing him to avoid going to work, reports "Vydomo" citing the press service of DBR.

It was revealed that in June 2022, the former head of one of the departments of the State Tax Service of Ukraine in the Zhytomyr region signed a contract with a volunteer formation of the Dnipro city territorial community, but did not report for duty, remaining in his hometown. However, this allowed him to be exempted from official duties and stay in his hometown.

For two years, the tax officer hardly left his home but received 700,000 hryvnias in salary from the tax service.

He has now been dismissed from his position.

He is suspected of fraudulently acquiring someone else's property in a significant amount under martial law (part 4 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The sanction of the article provides for a punishment of up to 8 years in prison.

Measures of restraint are currently being determined. Additionally, steps will be taken to recover the damages inflicted on the state.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.