Corruption Scandal Erupts in Ukraine's Military Drone Procurement

President Zelensky condemned the corruption amid protests triggering a reversal of an anti-corruption law, reinstating the independence of key agencies.

Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies have revealed a significant bribery scheme linked to the procurement of military drones and electronic warfare tools, leading to the arrests of a Ukrainian MP and various officials, including district and city administrators. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the findings on X, highlighting that these individuals were involved in signing state contracts with suppliers at inflated prices, sometimes exceeding by 30%.

In his statement, Zelensky emphasized the importance of adopting a "zero tolerance" approach towards corruption and appreciated the investigative agencies for their diligent work. The announcement comes just days after Zelensky's administration restored the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies following widespread protests against a controversial bill aimed at curbing their powers.

The proposed legislation had sought to eliminate the autonomy of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, referred to as Nabu and Sap. Critics argued that this move would subject high-level corruption prosecutions to the authority of the general prosecutor, raising alarms about potential political influence, especially as the country engages in a tense ongoing conflict with Russia.

Public dissatisfaction over the bill fueled the largest anti-government demonstrations in Ukraine since Russia's invasion began in 2022, prompting Zelensky to quickly reverse course. He introduced new legislation to restore the anti-corruption agencies' independence, which was enthusiastically passed by parliament just nine days after the introduction of the original bill.

The leadership of Ukraine’s Defence Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, lauded Zelensky for acknowledging the public's concerns and preserving the integrity of the anti-corruption institutions. The move garnered approval from EU allies who had expressed worries about the implications of curtailing these bodies' independence.

The struggle against corruption remains paramount for Ukraine as it seeks to fortify its ties with the European Union. The establishment of Nabu and Sap was mandated by the European Commission and International Monetary Fund in 2014, paving the way for reduced visa barriers. Kyiv's designation as an EU candidate country in 2022 marks a significant milestone in its efforts towards closer relations with the West. Since their inception, Nabu and Sap have engaged in expansive probes into corruption, seizing millions in misappropriated assets across governmental sectors. A recent joint investigation led to the arrest of Vsevolod Kniaziev, the head of Ukraine's Supreme Court, over alleged involvement in a $3 million bribery scheme.