Rescuers Were “Treated” with Ordinary Mud: Ukraine’s Bureau of Investigation Uncovered a Scheme

A medical rehabilitation center for Ukrainian rescuers purchased 24 tons of supposed therapeutic mud that was actually ordinary sludge taken from a pond, investigators said on Wednesday, Sept. 30.The procurement cost nearly Hr. 1 million (about $24,000), while the losses to the state budget exceeded Hr.600,000 (about $14,400), according to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.Four people have been notified of suspicion: the acting head and chief nurse of the State Emergency Service rehabilitation center in Odesa, as well as the director and a manager of a private company involved in the procurement.‘Ordinary mud of unknown origin’Investigators allege that the center’s two officials worked with representatives of private companies to arrange the purchase of 24 tons of therapeutic mud.Official documents stated that the center had received the full quantity of material and that it met the required quality standards.In reality, the supplier allegedly delivered what the SBI described as “ordinary mud of unknown origin.” The Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office said the material was pond sludge rather than certified therapeutic mud.The alleged substitution was concealed through invoices and other documents containing false information. Those records were then used to authorize the transfer of public money to the supplier.It was not immediately clear whether the sludge had already been used in rehabilitation procedures or whether investigators had identified any harm to patients. Other Topics of Interest The Silent Battle in Ukraine: How Drug Resistant Infections Could Become a Global Threat Wounded Ukrainian soldiers have had to deal with infections that have become resistant to many medications. Investigators suspect a rigged tenderThe SBI also reported indications that the competition during the procurement process had been fabricated.Documents and company seals belonging to the winning bidder were allegedly stored in the same office as records from other businesses that appeared to compete for the contract.Investigators believe this indicates that the participating companies were connected and that the tender may have been organized to ensure a predetermined winner.The two rehabilitation center officials are suspected of assisting in the embezzlement of public property and official forgery.The private company’s director and manager are suspected of assisting in the embezzlement and of preparing and using forged documents. The allegations remain subject to investigation and have not been proven in court.Ukraine’s State Emergency Service personnel regularly respond to Russian missile and drone strikes, clear rubble, and evacuate residents from frontline communities, making access to proper medical treatment and rehabilitation particularly important. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.