Corruption Charge in Drone Acquisition Arrest in Ukraine
In Ukraine, an ongoing investigation into a corruption scandal involving the procurement of drones and electronic warfare equipment has led to the detention of multiple high-profile officials, including a lawmaker and local officials, National Guard personnel, and company executives implicated in state contracts.
The allegations suggest that these individuals inflated contract prices by up to 30% and received kickbacks from the overpayments, amounting to substantial illicit gains. As of early August 2025, at least four to six people have been arrested, including Oleksii Kuznetsov, a member of parliament from Zelensky’s party, former regional governors, military administration leaders, and executives of a UAV manufacturing company.
The grouped defendants are accused of forming an organized criminal scheme that syphoned state funds during 2024 and 2025 procurements critical to Ukraine’s defense. The fraudulent scheme involved overcharging by roughly €74,000 on FPV drones valued at over €200,000, with a general pattern of inflating prices on multiple contracts by up to 30%.
The financial damage caused by this scheme is significant, although precise total losses to the state budget have not been fully disclosed. The arrests and investigation highlight the substantial financial harm caused by corruption.
This crackdown follows recent legislative actions restoring the independence of Ukraine’s main anti-corruption bodies (NABU and SAPO), signaling a strengthened institutional response to corruption. President Volodymyr Zelensky has promised a categorical fight against corruption as part of Ukraine's quest for EU membership.
Repeated corruption scandals in arms deals have been a concern in Ukraine, a country that has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for over three years. The allegations also target public servants at the municipal level and members of the National Guard.
In response to the ongoing investigations, Zelensky has emphasized the importance of anti-corruption fighters working independently. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that uniformed personnel have also been suspended from duty. The faction membership of MP Olexiy Kusnezov has been suspended for the duration of the investigation.
The scandal involves contracts with drone manufacturers that were concluded at significantly inflated prices. Anti-corruption fighters have published photos of bundles of money, underscoring the extent of the bribery involved.
Zelensky made these statements in his Telegram channel, stating that there can only be zero tolerance for corruption, clear teamwork to uncover bribery, and ultimately fair verdicts. Ukraine ranks 105th out of 180 countries in the current Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International.
Western aid funds to fight the Russian invasion often disappear in Ukraine, adding to the urgency of addressing corruption. The new law passed on Thursday gives anti-corruption fighters every chance to work independently, providing hope for a more transparent future for Ukraine.
- The corruption scandal in Ukraine, involving inflated drone procurement contracts and kickbacks, has been categorized as a crime-and-justice issue, with multiple high-profile officials from politics, including a lawmaker and local officials, military personnel, and company executives, being detained.
- The ongoing investigations into corruption in Ukraine's general-news, particularly in arms deals and city-level public service, have prompted a legislative response, restoring independence for the country's main anti-corruption bodies (NABU and SAPO), aiming to combat the financial damage and promote transparency in line with the nation's quest for EU membership.
