Kiev, Ukraine (AP) – Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency said it had discovered a major graft scheme, including an inflated military procurement contract, just two days after the Ukrainian parliament. I voted to restore Institutional independence.
In a joint statement released on social media on Saturday, the National Bureau of Anti-Corruption (NABU) and the Specialist Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) said the suspects took bes with plans to use state funds to purchase. Drones and other military equipment Prices have increased.
“The essence of this scheme was to sign a state contract with a supplier company at a price that was intentionally inflated,” the statement added that the offender received a kickback of up to 30% of the value of the contract.
Anti-corruption groups did not identify detainees, but said Ukrainian lawmakers, local district and city officials and National Guard service personnel were involved. Four people have been arrested so far, they said. The Interior Ministry said that National Guard personnel involved in the incident had been removed from their position.
Drones have become a key asset in modern warfare for both Ukraine and Russia, increasing military reconnaissance, precision strikes and strategic flexibility on the battlefield. Most of the Russian military assets destroyed by Ukrainian forces, including manpower and heavy weapons, are targeted by drones. Drone production is also an important aspect of Kiev’s desire to expand domestic military production and export markets.
Ukrainian President Voldy Meezelensky worked on development in his evening speech on Saturday, calling the graft scheme “absolutely immoral” and thanking anti-corruption agencies for their work.
“Unfortunately, these corruption schemes included the procurement of electronic warfare systems and FPV drones, which must be fully and fair accountable,” he posted to X at the address.
In a previous post, which also included a photo of him meeting with the agency manager, Zelensky said, “It is important that anti-corruption agencies operate independently,” adding that “the law passed Thursday ensures all the tools needed to truly fight corruption.”
The revelations of the graft scheme by Nabu and Sapo came just two days after Ukrainian parliament voted to restore independence.
The Ukrainian Parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly approved the bill presented by Zelensky, and repeated his reversal before. Controversial movements It suppressed their power and sparked a backlash, including rare street protests during the war.
Last week’s action to deploy watchdogs under the supervision of prosecutors prompted responsibilities from Ukrainians, the European Union and international rights groups. It has heightened fear that the government could interfere in the investigation and protect its supporters from scrutiny.
The fight against confirmed corruption is important to join the European Union in Ukraine and maintain access to billions of dollars of vital Western aid. Now, all wars are in their fourth year. It is also an effort to enjoy wide range of public support.
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Morton reported from London.
