Corruption Arrest in Ukraine Over Wayward Drone Acquisition
In a bid to strengthen Ukraine's fight against corruption, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken steps to restore the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). This move comes amidst a new bribery scandal involving contracts for the purchase of drones, which has left the Ukrainian state budget vulnerable.
The initial law, passed on July 22, 2025, had subordinated NABU and SAPO to the office of the prosecutor general, a political appointee. This decision, which undermined the agencies' independence, prompted public protests and international criticism. However, due to domestic pressure and demands from the European Union, Zelenskyy reversed this decision on July 31, 2025, restoring NABU and SAPO’s independence, though the independence of other prosecutors remains curtailed.
This restoration is significant as it addresses concerns that the erosion of anti-corruption bodies’ autonomy risks undermining the rule of law and Ukraine’s aspirations for EU accession, which demand strong, independent anti-corruption frameworks. Independent oversight is particularly important in sectors vulnerable to corruption, such as defense, where scandals have periodically emerged.
The recent legislative instability and attempts to politicize anti-corruption agencies may continue to weaken the fight against corruption in Ukraine’s defense sector by reducing the agencies’ ability to operate without political interference.
The new law, passed on Thursday, is said to give anti-corruption fighters every chance to work independently. Four arrests have been made in relation to the scandal, including MP Oleksiy Kusnezov, who belongs to the Servant of the People party of the Ukrainian president. Anti-corruption fighters have published photos of cash bundles in relation to this scandal.
Ukraine ranks 105th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, highlighting the country's struggle against corruption. The total damage to the state budget from the scandal is not yet known.
Western aid funds intended to combat the Russian invasion often disappear, raising questions about the transparency and accountability of Ukraine's defense sector. The allegations also target municipal public servants and members of the National Guard.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko announced that the uniformed personnel suspected of involvement have been suspended from duty. The EU has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine implement reforms in its bid to join the union. Zelenskyy has expressed zero tolerance for corruption and support for independent anti-corruption efforts.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how effectively Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies can operate independently and hold those involved accountable. The restoration of NABU and SAPO's independence is a step in the right direction, but the overall structure remains fragile, and other prosecutorial independences are still restricted.
Politics and general news have been focused on the recent scandal in Ukraine's defense sector, where contracts for the purchase of drones were allegedly affected by bribery. This scandal has raised concerns about the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), which were earlier subordinated to the office of the prosecutor general. Crime-and-justice reports indicate that the new law, passed on Thursday, aims to provide anti-corruption fighters with the chance to work independently, with four arrests already made, including an MP belonging to the Servant of the People party of the Ukrainian president.
