Ukrainian authorities have arrested several officials, including a prominent MP, amid an ongoing crackdown on corruption linked to the procurement of drones and electronic warfare systems.
The anti-corruption agencies revealed a large-scale bribery scheme involving inflated contracts, with prices marked up by as much as 30%.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the developments on X (formerly Twitter), confirming the involvement of the MP, district and city officials, and members of the National Guard. Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and praised the agencies for their efforts. “We will not allow corruption to undermine our progress,” he stated.
The anti-corruption agencies’ independence was restored just days ago following mass protests across the country. The move reversed a controversial bill introduced by Zelensky’s government that sought to weaken the agencies’ authority, sparking massive demonstrations—the largest since Russia’s invasion in 2022. Critics argued the legislation threatened Ukraine’s efforts to combat corruption and align with European standards.
In response to public outcry, Zelensky swiftly proposed and secured parliament’s approval for a bill restoring the agencies’ independence. This decision was widely praised, including by Ukraine’s Defence Ministry’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, who thanked the president for listening to the public.
Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts are crucial for its bid to join the European Union. The creation of Nabu and Sap in 2014 was a condition set by the EU and IMF, leading to Ukraine’s recent EU candidate status in 2022.
These bodies have conducted significant investigations, including a high-profile case in 2023 involving a $3 million bribe linked to Ukraine’s Supreme Court.
