Ukraine Uncovers Drone Procurement Scandal, 4 Arrested | WPN World People News

Just two days after the Ukrainian parliament passed legislation to restore the independence of its anti-corruption institutions, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) uncovered a major corruption case involving military procurement. The case centers on contracts for military drones and electronic warfare systems, in which prices were deliberately inflated to extract kickbacks of up to 30%. Four individuals have already been detained, including a sitting member of parliament, two local government officials, and several members of the National Guard. The investigation is ongoing and continues to expand.

According to CNN, NABU and SAPO issued a joint statement on social media, revealing that the procurement contracts were signed with suppliers at deliberately inflated prices, allowing officials to skim kickbacks from the funds. The statement noted: “At the core of this corruption scheme was the signing of government contracts with suppliers at intentionally inflated prices.” While the names of those involved have not been publicly disclosed, Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed that the implicated National Guard personnel have been suspended.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Telegram that there will be “zero tolerance” for any form of corruption and emphasized the need for government agencies to work together to uncover and prosecute wrongdoing fairly and in accordance with the law. Zelensky had previously sparked controversy and protests for attempting to place anti-corruption agencies under the control of the Prosecutor General. He later withdrew the proposal and supported revised legislation to restore their independence — a move welcomed by the European Union. EU officials have reiterated that preserving the independence of anti-corruption bodies is a key requirement for Ukraine’s bid to join the bloc.