The Investigative Department of the National Police of Ukraine has opened a criminal investigation into potential false asset reporting by Dmytro Snitsaruk, a senior specialist in the uncrewed aviation organization unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Aviation Safety Department. The official probe was triggered by his wife’s purchase of a luxury SUV at a fraction of its market value.
Police registered the case under Part 1, Article 366-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (filing false information in an electronic declaration). Authorities initiated the official verification following a formal request submitted by lawyers from «Tysny» (Push), an anti-corruption initiative operating under the investigative reporting group Bihus.Info.
Investigative journalists first uncovered the discrepancies in the official’s financial disclosures. According to public records, Dmytro Snitsaruk’s wife acquired a premium 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 d crossover in 2023. In his official income declaration, the Interior Ministry employee listed the purchase price at 400,000 UAH (approximately $10,000 USD).
However, data from open sources and automotive marketplaces shows that the average market price for this model and year is around $67,000—exceeding 3 million UAH. The price recorded in the official document is roughly eight times lower than the vehicle’s true market value.
Investigators are currently examining the transaction documents to determine whether the asset’s value was intentionally understated to conceal the family’s actual income and avoid origin-of-funds checks.
Under Ukrainian law, if found guilty of submitting false declaration data, the official faces penalties ranging from substantial fines and community service to up to two years of restricted liberty, alongside a temporary ban from holding public office.