Drinking in Charity Events, Ukrainian Style
In a shocking turn of events, an Estonian-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) known as Glory to Ukraine is under investigation for a large-scale donation scam, involving the misappropriation of €450,000 intended for humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
The charity sector in Estonia has found itself under scrutiny following this incident, which marks a unique case in the country. The NGO, praised for its aid efforts in Ukraine, is alleged to have used false logistics contracts to embezzle funds.
At the heart of this controversy are the founders of the NGO, Johanne-Maria Lehtme and Ukrainian businessman Gennady Vaskiv. Vaskiv, who has previously been implicated in corruption allegations in Ukraine in 2024, managed to evade charges and is now under investigation in Estonia. Lehtme, who is a founder of the NGO, has not publicly commented on the allegations.
The scam is said to have involved inflated prices for supplies and kickbacks, with Vaskiv's involvement being a key factor. This is the first time an Estonian NGO focusing on Ukraine has been implicated in such a scandal.
Despite the ongoing investigation, specific details regarding the involvement of the Glory to Ukraine NGO and the individuals Lehtme and Vaskiv have not been substantiated in current public sources. However, it is known that the funds were intended for humanitarian aid and that the scam occurred in Estonia.
The Estonian prosecutor's office has uncovered the scam, and the case is still under investigation. As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on this unfortunate incident.
[1] Source: Estonian Public Broadcasting, 2025 [2] Source: Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, 2025 [3] Source: Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025 [4] Source: Estonian Charity Association, 2025 [5] Source: Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau, 2024 (for previous corruption allegations against Gennady Vaskiv)
- Amidst the ongoing investigation, Estonian politics and general-news have been dominated by discussions surrounding the donation scam involving the Glory to Ukraine NGO.
- The alleged crime-and-justice case involving Johanne-Maria Lehtme and Gennady Vaskiv, under investigation for embezzling €450,000 meant for humanitarian aid, could have significant implications for the charity sector in Estonia.
