US general lost classified Ukraine documents after Kyiv trip, probe finds

A US Army investigation has found that Major General Antonio A. Aguto Jr., the officer responsible for coordinating military assistance to Ukraine, committed serious security breaches during an official visit to Kyiv, including losing control of classified operational materials and sustaining injuries while under the influence of alcohol.

The inquiry, conducted by the US Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, details a sequence of lapses spanning March to May 2024, raising concerns over both handling of sensitive documents and conduct during deployment.

Classified materials mishandled

According to the findings, Aguto transported classified maps during an official trip from Germany to Ukraine on March 24, 2024. He subsequently delegated custody of the materials to personnel within his headquarters who did not have diplomatic courier status.

The report states that he failed to comply with established protocols governing the transport of classified documents across international borders. Specifically, investigators found that the materials were neither properly packaged nor sealed, no written authorization for their transport was obtained, and Aguto ultimately lost direct control over them.

Documents left on train

On April 4, 2024, during return travel to Poland, the classified maps were left behind on a train. The documents were recovered the following day when the train returned to Ukraine and were secured by staff at the US Embassy in Kyiv.

The report notes that “Major General Aguto accepted responsibility for the incident.”

Alcohol-related incident in Kyiv

The same investigation records that in May 2024, while in Kyiv, Aguto attended a dinner where he consumed chacha and was, in the report’s wording, “under a certain level of alcohol influence.”

Two witnesses stated that after the dinner, Aguto fell and struck the back of his head against a wall. Later that night or in the early morning hours, he experienced a second fall, this time hitting his forehead.

Investigators concluded: “Multiple pieces of evidence indicate that excessive alcohol consumption during the May 13, 2024 dinner was the primary cause of the first fall in the hotel room, which resulted in a concussion.”

Deemed unfit for duty

As a result of the concussion and subsequent injuries, Aguto was assessed as “unable to perform his duties,” effectively preventing him from continuing in active command.

Aguto served as commander of Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U) from December 9, 2022, to August 5, 2024, overseeing US military support to Ukraine under Operation Atlantic Resolve.

He relinquished command in August 2024. On November 1, 2024, while the Inspector General’s investigation was still ongoing, he was conditionally retired at the rank of major general.

At the outset of the investigation in June 2024, Aguto held the rank of lieutenant general. The final report was completed on March 12, 2026.