Arrests in Ukraine in defense corruption case

Ukrainian authorities announced today that there have been arrests in connection with a "large-scale corruption scheme" involving political officials in the defense sector, which came shortly after a controversy over the independence of anti-corruption bodies.

The law adopted in late July provided for placing the National Anti-Corruption Agency and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office under the supervision of the Prosecutor General, appointed by the president.

The law was very poorly received by civil society and the European Union, sparking the first large-scale protests in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelensky eventually changed course and on Thursday signed a new law restoring the independence of these bodies.

The National Anti-Corruption Agency announced today that, in cooperation with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, it has uncovered "a large-scale corruption scheme involving a member of parliament in the procurement of drones and electronic warfare equipment."

Local politicians and National Guard members have been accused of involvement.

Four people were arrested, the agency said, without specifying their positions or identities.

Zelensky expressed "gratitude to the anti-corruption agencies for their work."

"It is important that anti-corruption institutions act independently, and the law adopted on Thursday guarantees them all the tools necessary for a true fight against corruption," the Ukrainian president said.

Faced with his first serious political crisis since taking office six years ago, Zelensky initially tried to defend the initial law, accusing the relevant authorities of inefficiency and being under "Russian influence."

Zelensky then said he had "listened" to the protesters, proposing a new text of the law.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, several cases of corruption, an endemic problem in the country, have erupted within the armed forces and the Ministry of Defense.

National Guard members suspected of involvement in this corruption case have been suspended, Interior Minister Igor Klimenko said.

According to the investigation, from 2024 to 2025, the defendants embezzled public funds intended for the needs of the military.

This included the purchase of small FPV (First Person View) drones and electronic warfare systems.