Ukrainian authorities have detained several officials over a significant corruption scheme in the defence sector, involving the procurement of military drones and signal jamming systems. The National Anti-Corruption Agency (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) announced on Saturday that they had made four arrests in connection with the scheme.
According to the agencies, the suspects had received kickbacks of up to 30 percent of the contract amounts, with the essence of the scheme being to conclude state contracts with supplier companies at deliberately inflated prices.
The suspects include a sitting lawmaker, two local officials, and an unspecified number of National Guard personnel. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has suspended the suspected National Guard members. This development comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faced criticism for attempting to curtail the autonomy of the country’s anticorruption agencies.
Zelenskyy’s move sparked widespread protests, leading him to backtrack and submit a bill restoring the agencies’ independence. The bill was passed by lawmakers on Thursday, with Zelenskyy stating, “It is important that anticorruption institutions operate independently, and the law passed on Thursday guarantees them all the tools necessary for a real fight against corruption.” Ukraine’s European allies praised the about-face, having voiced concerns about the original defanging of the agencies.
In a statement about Saturday’s arrests, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the anticorruption agencies for their work. The investigation highlights the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces in its efforts to combat corruption, particularly in the defence sector. The country’s anticorruption agencies play a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accountability in government contracting.