Unveiled Corruption in Drone Acquisition: Arrests Made - Unveiled: Corruption in drone acquisition; authorities make arrests
In a troubling turn of events, Ukraine finds itself embroiled in a large-scale corruption scandal that has been uncovered by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). The scandal, which unfolded in 2024-2025, revolves around government funds allocated for military drone and electronic warfare (EW) equipment procurement being systematically misappropriated through contracts signed at inflated prices, with kickbacks reportedly reaching up to 30% of contract values.
Key figures implicated in this scandal include Oleksii Kuznetsov, a member of parliament from President Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, former governor Serhii Haidai, local administrators, National Guard commanders, and a drone supplier company director. Four suspects have been detained, including lawmakers, local officials, and National Guard personnel, several of whom have been removed from their posts.
The scandal came to light shortly after Ukraine’s parliament reinstated the independence of NABU and SAPO following President Zelenskyy’s earlier attempt to curtail their authority, a move that had sparked domestic protests and international criticism. In response, Zelenskyy has emphasized "zero tolerance for corruption" and has taken measures such as suspending Kuznetsov’s party membership pending investigation.
The bribery scheme involved using state contracts to purchase drones and electronic warfare systems at inflated prices from supplier enterprises, with illicit personal gain for officials involved. Transparency and accountability in military procurement are considered crucial for Ukraine's efforts to join the EU and sustain Western aid amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The EU has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine implement reforms in its bid to join the union of states. However, Ukraine still ranks 105th out of 180 countries in the current Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, indicating that there is much work to be done. The inflated prices of the drone contracts have negatively impacted the Ukrainian state budget, but the total damage to the budget from this particular scandal has not yet been specified.
President Zelensky has promised a categorical fight against corruption in his pursuit of EU membership for Ukraine. He has also assured that the anti-corruption fighters in Ukraine remain independent. The investigation into the bribery scandal is ongoing, and the anti-corruption fighters have published photos of cash bundles in connection with the ongoing investigation.
In a statement on his Telegram channel, Zelensky wrote that there must be zero tolerance for corruption, clear teamwork to expose bribery, and ultimately fair judgments. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that uniformed personnel have been suspended from duty in connection with the scandal.
This bribery scandal is a significant setback in Ukraine's fight against corruption, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public procurement. As Ukraine continues to defend itself against a Russian invasion and strive for EU membership, it is crucial that such scandals are addressed swiftly and decisively to restore public trust and maintain the flow of international aid.
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The EU has expressed growing concern over Ukraine's employment policy in the face of ongoing corruption scandals, such as the recent one involving military drone procurement, which has severely impacted the country's transparency and accountability in public procurement.
The general-news reports suggest that Ukraine's politics, particularly its approach to crime and justice, need urgent reforms if the country is to successfully join the EU and sustain Western aid amidst ongoing conflicts.
