Four Ukrainian individuals detained, accused of bribery in public tendering operations
In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a new development has emerged within Ukraine's borders. An investigation has uncovered a major corruption scheme involving inflated contracts for the procurement of drones and electronic warfare equipment for the Ukrainian military during 2024-2025.
Since the beginning of 2024, the EU has been supporting Ukraine with "Ukraine Facility" financial assistance. However, the requirements for the tranches may be changed due to the ongoing war. Meanwhile, the investigation has revealed that state funds, intended for the procurement of essential military equipment, were systematically embezzled, with kickbacks reaching up to 30% of contract values.
The corruption involved deliberately inflated prices on drone contracts, including first-person-view (FPV) drones worth over €200,000, leading to overcharging of about €74,000 with some of the funds circulated back to the conspirators as kickbacks.
Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the scheme. These include an MP from the Servant of the People party, a former regional governor, heads of city and district administrations, a National Guard commander, and the owner and director of a UAV manufacturing company. The UAV company officials face additional charges related to obstructing the lawful activities of Ukraine’s armed forces.
The MP implicated has been suspended from the Servant of the People parliamentary faction during the ongoing investigation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned the scheme as "absolutely immoral," and the Prime Minister has convened an extraordinary Cabinet meeting in response. Zelensky has also dismissed a regional head linked to the case. The Ministry of Interior has removed implicated National Guard personnel from their positions.
The investigation's broad reach is evident in the raid on the residence of Rostyslav Shurma, a former deputy head of Zelensky’s presidential office, in Germany at the request of Ukrainian investigators.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reports that Russian troops are attempting to break through the defense lines of the contested city of Pokrovsk using a "total infiltration" tactic. Meanwhile, Russia has launched a rocket attack on Kyiv, as reported by the military administration of the Ukrainian capital.
Elsewhere, more than 120 firefighters are battling a blaze at an oil depot in Sochi, allegedly caused by a drone strike. Russia claims to have intercepted and destroyed 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, with 60 over the Black Sea and some over the Krasnodar region.
In a separate incident, a woman was injured in a Ukrainian drone strike in Voronezh, according to Russian reports. The southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv was also targeted by a Russian attack, resulting in several injuries and damaged residential buildings.
Amidst the chaos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced further long-range attacks on Russian territory in response to Moscow's efforts to drag out the war. In a poignant moment, Zelensky posthumously awarded journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity in 2024, the "Order of Freedom." Her body was returned to Ukraine in late February and identified through DNA testing.
As the war continues, the investigation into this corruption scandal provides a glimmer of accountability, while the frontlines remain volatile and the need for support, both financial and military, is ever-present.
[1] Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities uncover major graft scheme involving drones and electronic warfare equipment procurement for the Ukrainian military during 2024-2025. [2] Ukrainian President Zelensky dismisses a regional head linked to the case. [3] Notable figure, Rostyslav Shurma, former deputy head of Zelensky’s presidential office, had his residence in Germany raided at the request of Ukrainian investigators. [4] Several individuals arrested in connection with the scheme, including an MP, a former regional governor, heads of city and district administrations, a National Guard commander, and the owner and director of a UAV manufacturing company.
- The community policy and employment policy of Ukraine may need to be reviewed in light of the ongoing investigation into a major corruption scheme involving the procurement of military equipment, as such embezzlement undermines the trust and efficiency expected in public services.
- The general-news landscape is abuzz with the uncovering of this crime-and-justice scandal, which has implications not only for Ukraine's military capabilities but also for the political careers of those implicated, as an MP and several high-ranking officials have been arrested.
