A volunteer medical battalion in Ukraine is facing allegations of financial mismanagement, with a former member accused of diverting funds intended for the war effort to personal expenses. The accusations come as scrutiny increases regarding the transparency of volunteer organizations operating in the conflict zone, a development that underscores the challenges of accountability in wartime.
Anna Skolbuszewska, a former member of the Hospitallers Medical Volunteer Battalion, is accused of misappropriating donations collected to support Ukrainian soldiers. The Hospitallers, founded in 2014, focuses on providing pre-medical assistance, evacuating the wounded from frontline areas, and offering medical training to troops.
According to reports from ukranews.com, Skolbuszewska allegedly collected 235,000 hryvien (approximately 20,000 Polish złoty) between December 2023 and June 2024, ostensibly for fuel purchases. The funds were donated by filmmaker Nariman Aliev and journalist Maks Shcherbina, who had gathered contributions from the public. Still, a portion of the money is alleged to have been spent on travel and gambling.
Jana Zinkewych, the founder of the Hospitallers, stated that Skolbuszewska underwent approximately six months of treatment for a gambling addiction at a rehabilitation center in Brovary. She was not questioned at that time. Skolbuszewska has since left Ukraine, making it impossible to obtain her account of the allegations.
The controversy extends beyond Skolbuszewska’s alleged actions, with some journalists raising concerns about the overall transparency of the Hospitallers organization. Reports indicate the organization is supported by a network of 14 companies registered to relatives of a single individual, with two affiliated firms located in the United Kingdom. Channel 5 reported that volunteers allegedly disbursed donations without public reporting.
Zinkewych responded to the criticism, stating that the Hospitallers are open to scrutiny and plan to publish a collective financial report by May 1. She also announced her intention to defend the battalion’s reputation in court.
