Ukraine. As much as a third of the military's humanitarian aid never reached it

From the beginning of 2023, for 9 thousand cases involving the provision of humanitarian aid to the army, in over 3,000 cases arrival at the units has not been confirmed.

Such information comes from joint inspections of the Department for Combating Smuggling and Violations of Customs Regulations of the State Customs Service of Ukraine and the Internal Audit Department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

"Over nine months of 2023, more than 9,000 cases regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid to 200 military units were jointly checked. It was established that in more than 3,000 cases it was not delivered to the units"

the State Customs Service of Ukraine said in a statement.

These facts were established using a special mechanism for joint control of supplies of humanitarian aid to the army. The mechanism enabled the operational exchange of information on confirmation of receipt of these goods by military formations and the detection of reasonable suspicions at customs clearance.

Customs officers sent 387 reports to law enforcement agencies about cases that may constitute crimes. 320 reports on infringements of customs regulations involving humanitarian aid goods were drawn up.

"We are grateful to public organizations, volunteers and international donors who help Ukraine. At the same time, we emphasize that the import of commercial goods under the guise of humanitarian aid constitutes a violation of applicable regulations and provides for criminal liability"

the State Customs Service emphasizes.

Change of regulations

From December 1, organizations planning to import humanitarian aid to Ukraine will have to register on the online platform of the Automated Humanitarian Aid Registration System, register on the website, and prepare and submit a declaration, which will be sent to customs authorities through information exchange.

At the same time, a petition asking the government to postpone for six months the entry into force of certain aspects of the records of customs clearance and humanitarian aid during martial law received 25,000 votes conditioning its consideration.