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In 2026, Ukraine is grappling with numerous corruption scandals involving senior officials and public institutions. High-profile cases such as the "Forrest Gump" operation have unveiled extensive networks of kickbacks and fraud within government circles. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have intensified efforts to uncover schemes that have siphoned off millions from public funds. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, with critics pointing to the persistent influence of private interests and systemic governance issues. Efforts continue as Ukraine seeks to align itself with EU anti-corruption standards and address corruption within its governance structures.
What are the main corruption scandals in Ukraine this year?
This year has seen significant corruption scandals in Ukraine, such as the "Forrest Gump" operation, which exposed high-level fraud involving political figures and procurement irregularities. The anti-corruption bodies like NABU and SAPO have been active in investigating these cases and bringing suspects to justice.
How does corruption impact Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations?
Corruption poses a major barrier to Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations. The European Commission has stressed the importance of combatting corruption and strengthening independent anti-corruption bodies, reflecting the EU’s emphasis on transparent governance as a pre-requisite for membership.
What steps are being taken to combat corruption in Ukraine’s public sector?
Efforts to combat corruption in Ukraine include legislative reforms, enhancing the powers of anti-corruption bodies like NABU and SAPO, and public awareness campaigns. The government is also working on measures to protect whistleblowers and increase transparency in public administration.
How are Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies handling procurement fraud?
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office have stepped up investigations into procurement fraud, employing rigorous auditing and surveillance techniques to uncover fraudulent activities, and holding responsible parties accountable through legal proceedings.
What role do private interests play in Ukrainian corruption scandals?
Private interests are deeply entwined in many Ukrainian corruption scandals, often manifesting through backdoor deals and influence over policy decisions. These interests complicate efforts to reform governance and reduce corruption, as they frequently clash with anti-corruption measures.
How is the Ukrainian government responding to corruption in military procurement?
The Ukrainian government, alongside anti-corruption agencies, is taking decisive action against corruption in military procurement. This includes investigating allegations of embezzlement and mismanagement, and implementing stricter controls to ensure transparency and accountability in defence-related spending.
What protections exist for whistleblowers in corruption cases in Ukraine?
The Ukrainian government has instituted legal protections for whistleblowers to encourage reporting of corruption. These protections aim to safeguard individuals from retaliation and provide them with secure channels to disclose unethical activities within public institutions.
News corruption
50 per cent of Ukrainians are most concerned about corruption. 72 per cent hold Zelenskyy responsible, - KIIS poll. INFOGRAPHICS 50 per cent of Ukrainians are most concerned about corruption within the government. 72 per cent of those surveyed believe that President Zelenskyy bears personal responsibility for the corrupt actions of those around him. 4 810 46 Previously in trend: Poll about Zelenskyy Corruption in Ukraine
Senior Luhansk RMA officials detained in UAH 5 million scheme: kickbacks received by post – SSU. VIDEO+PHOTOS The head of a department at the Luhansk Regional Military Administration and his deputy were detained on suspicion of organising a public procurement scheme through which they attempted to misappropriate UAH 5 million. According to investigators, monthly kickbacks were sent to the officials by... 4 463 27 Previously in trend: Embezzlement of funds
Case against senior Ukrzaliznytsia official over extortion of $100,000 sent to court – SAPO Today, 9 September 2026, a prosecutor from the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) submitted an indictment to court against the deputy director responsible for environmental safety at JSC Ukrzaliznytsia’s Department of Traffic Safety, Occupational Safety and Environmental... 929 3 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukrzaliznytsia
He promised to "arrange" admission to college for $1,000 to evade mobilisation: lecturer and local councillor has been exposed in Rivne region. PHOTO In the Rivne region, a lecturer at an agricultural college and a member of the district council is suspected of promising, in return for $1,000, to help a conscript gain admission to the college. According to the investigation, student status was intended to enable the man to evade mobilisation. 5 202 5 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization
Ukraine lost $1.2 billion in 2024 alone to fraud and mismanagement in defence procurement – NYT In 2024 alone, Ukraine lost about $1.2 billion to fraud, waste and mismanagement in defence procurement. 12 457 44 Previously in trend: defense procurement Ukraine’s defense spending Defence contracts
Over UAH 1 billion in bail posted for Zelenskyy’s senior officials: Some funds provided by shell companies – media In the "Mindichgate" and "Forest Gump" cases, more than UAH 1.1 billion in bail has been posted for former and current senior officials from the entourage of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. These include former Presidential Office officials, MPs from the Servant of the People party, former... 11 347 47 Previously in trend: Mindichgate Forrest Gump operation
Armed Forces of Ukraine servicemembers will be allowed to report corruption and protected from retaliation for doing so Servicemembers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive broader rights to help prevent corruption in their units and will be protected from retaliation for reporting it. The government has approved the relevant bill developed by the Ministry of Defense. 2 593 38 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine Corruption in law enforcement agencies Corruption in Ukraine
12 million hryvnias for 580 FPV drones: SSU uncovers embezzlement. PHOTOS A former commander of a Transport and Logistics Brigade and three other individuals are suspected of embezzling over 12 million hryvnias in connection with the procurement of FPV drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 1 980 9 Previously in trend: Corruption in defence
Presidential Office official appears in Mudra case over Halushchenko’s bail: He is called "Kyrylo Oleksiiovych" – media The materials of a motion seeking a preventive measure against former Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Iryna Mudra in the Forrest Gump case mention another Presidential Office official in addition to her. Investigators assign this official the role of organiser, and in recorded... 27 974 193 Previously in trend: Halushchenko case Forrest Gump operation
Corruption scheme involving construction project in Lutsk: NABU and SAPO expand list of suspects The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have expanded the list of suspects in a corruption scheme involving officials from the regional and city councils in Volyn region. 1 508 7 Previously in trend: Corruption involving MPs
National Guard lieutenant-colonel is suspected of selling rear-line posts for $3,000 in Kirovohrad region, according to State Bureau of Investigation. VIDEO+PHOTO The head of one of the departments at the headquarters of a National Guard military unit and one of his subordinates have been caught in the Kirovohrad region. According to the investigation, they accepted bribes to help servicemen transfer to rear units and promised not to send them to... 2 685 6 Previously in trend: Evasion of military service
Bail totalling over half billion hryvnias has been posted for those implicated in "Mindichgate" scandal: that would be enough to buy 25,000 FPV drones, – ZN.UA Last year, NABU and SAPO served notices of suspicion to several high-ranking officials and their accomplices involved in various episodes of the Midas case, which centers on energy sector corruption and money laundering. This year, anti-corruption agencies announced the exposure of new schemes... 15 530 30 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukraine Mindichgate Forrest Gump operation
Amid intensified Russian strikes, Ukraine is drowning in corruption and political chaos – The Economist The release on 19 August of another batch of wiretap recordings by anti-corruption agencies featuring conversations between senior Presidential Office officials was shocking not because of the schemes themselves, but because of how routinely the figures in the "Forrest Gump" case discussed them. 6 477 45 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukraine Forrest Gump operation
European Commission on Operation ’Forrest Gump’: Fight against corruption is important for those wishing to join EU The European Commission has emphasised the need to protect independent anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine against the backdrop of the ‘Forrest Gump’ special operation carried out by NABU and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). 1 244 3 Previously in trend: Forrest Gump operation
Zelenskyy must tell us all whether he was aware of corruption within his inner circle, - Fedorov Former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has stated that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must explain whether he was aware of possible corruption amongst his inner circle, emphasising that this is the President’s responsibility. 9 654 115 Previously in trend: Forrest Gump operation
"Anti-corruption authorities have no questions for me," Zelenskyy commented on Mudra’s dismissal According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the evidence provided by the NABU proved sufficient to dismiss Iryna Mudra from her post as deputy head of the Presidential Office. 11 997 92 Previously in trend: Forrest Gump operation
Corruption is preventing us from ending war in position of strength. We need elections, - Fedorov It is possible to holdelections during the war in Ukraine; this will help to revitalise the institutions of government and contribute to the fight against corruption amongst senior officials. 7 519 123 Previously in trend: Elections during war Forrest Gump operation
Corruption in government institutions prevents Ukraine from ending war from position of strength – Fedorov Former Defence Minister and former First Deputy Prime Minister for Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov thanked all participants in the rallies demanding his reinstatement as defence minister and said that corrupt schemes continue to operate in the country, preventing Ukraine from ending the... 4 095 67 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukraine Elections in Ukraine
EU pledges support for anti-corruption efforts after meeting with NABU and SAPO heads. PHOTO On Friday, 21 August, ambassadors of European Union member states met with National Anti-Corruption Bureau Director Semen Kryvonos and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office Head Oleksandr Klymenko. 2 331 9 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine Forrest Gump operation
Mudra helped Mykytas seize property, and he financed her and her daughter’s education, - investigation’s findings Court documents and recordings released by NABU indicate that Iryna Mudra, deputy head of the Office of the President, may have influenced a decision by the Ministry of Justice in the interests of former MP Maksym Mykytas. 6 518 21 Previously in trend: Forrest Gump operation
SAPO prosecutor reveals names of all individuals implicated in "Forrest Gump" and "Themis" cases. LIST A prosecutor from the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) has named all individuals mentioned in connection with NABU’s "Forrest Gump" and "Themis" operations. 36 382 109 Previously in trend: Forrest Gump operation
"You shouldn’t fight corruption – you should control it": conversation between deputy head of Presidential Office and former MP Those implicated in the ‘Forrest Gump’ case discussed the impossibility of obtaining information from anti-corruption bodies and ‘combating corruption’. 11 109 61 Previously in trend: Forrest Gump operation
"End of era of poverty": Journalist Tkach posts telling photo against backdrop of NABU’s "Forrest Gump" investigation. PHOTO Investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach posted two images on social media, ironically juxtaposing Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s 2019 presidential campaign slogan with materials from the high-profile NABU and SAPO investigation dubbed "Forrest Gump." 26 395 45 Previously in trend: Forrest Gump operation
Operation "Forrest Gump": participants laundered 150 million hryvnias to post bail for suspect in "Mindichgate" case. VIDEO As part of a special operation to tackle high-level corruption, anti-corruption authorities have uncovered a group of individuals who organised and facilitated the laundering of funds obtained through criminal means. 13 316 51
Operation "Forrest Gump": NABU detectives carried out searches at home of Hladyshchenko, chairman of supervisory board of "Sense Bank", – media NABU detectives are carrying out investigative operations at the premises of the Supervisory Board of ‘Sense Bank’. Searches are also being conducted at the home of the board’s chairman, Mykola Hladyshchenko. 9 747 7
NABU and SAPO are conducting a special operation to expose criminal group involving MPs and senior officials from Presidential Office The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are conducting a special operation to expose a criminal organisation operating under the leadership of a current and a former Member of the Ukrainian Parliament, with the... 7 529 41 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine National Anti-Corruption Bureau
Fedorov: There is "systemic crisis of governance" in Ukraine, and "private interests" in Rada Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that the country's main problem is not corruption itself, but a "systemic governance crisis," in which the old system protects its own rules rather than focusing on results. 5 788 55 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukraine Fedorov’s resignation
Zelenskyy is losing his chances of re-election due to high levels of corruption, - Shabunin. VIDEO According to the latest opinion polls, the incumbent president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is losing ground in his bid for re-election in the next presidential election. 4 067 118 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukraine
Fedorov: "Corruption is one of main reasons why it is harder for us to stop war" Former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called corruption one of the main internal obstacles preventing the war from ending quickly. 11 396 131 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine Corruption in defence
61 searches and 15 suspects: SBI releases interim results of Operation Honest Draft The State Bureau of Investigation has reported the interim results of Operation Honest Draft. 1 872 6 Previously in trend: Corruption in TCR
Checks in TCR across country: General Staff declared zero tolerance for corruption The Armed Forces of Ukraine adhere to a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and ensure a comprehensive, objective, and impartial investigation of every report of a possible violation. 9 479 29 Previously in trend: Corruption in TCR
Those implicated in "Mindichgate" scandal have likely taken control of "Nasosenergomash" plant, – Zhelezniak. VIDEO Those implicated in the ‘Midas’ case have reportedly taken control of the sanctioned ‘Nasosenergomash’ plant. 4 296 14 Previously in trend: Energy sector corruption
Shabunin on Fedorov’s resignation: "President has opted for old corruption schemes and Soviet generals". VIDEO Vitalii Shabunin, Chairman of the Board of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre (ACAC), has stated that the resignation of Ukraine’s Defence Minister is indicative of a rollback of reforms in the defence sector. 6 567 62 Previously in trend: Syrskyi–Fedorov conflict Fedorov’s resignation
Maybe Fedorov will name corrupt officials who are trying to take him down? — "Servant of People" Hetmantsev Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is not, in fact, a staunch anti-corruption crusader and has not exposed a single corrupt official at the Defence Ministry. 12 562 64 Previously in trend: New Cabinet Dismissals at Ministry of Defense
Official from Chamber of Commerce and Industry and her son were detained for accepting €100,000 bribe from drone manufacturer, - SSU The SSU and the Office of the Prosecutor General have uncovered a bribery scheme targeting a manufacturer of combat drones. The suspects were detained while receiving the second installment of the illicit payment. 4 394 23 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukraine Bribery in government
Servant of People and Batkivshchyna want to push through amendments that would save corrupt officials – Anti-Corruption Action Center During the second-reading vote, lawmakers want to add amendments to bill No. 15056 that would weaken anti-corruption legislation. 2 781 29 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine
Large-scale embezzlement of over 1.2 billion hryvnias from budget has been uncovered, - Kravchenko. PHOTOS As part of the ‘Budget’ special operation, law enforcement agencies have reported 259 suspects and over 1.2 billion hryvnias in losses to the state across various sectors. 2 985 25 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukraine
MP from Kharkiv region ’stashed’ community equipment at his mother-in-law’s house, worth 14.5 million hryvnias In the Kharkiv region, a member of the district council is suspected of embezzling more than 14.5 million hryvnias’ worth of property belonging to a municipal enterprise. 2 297 8 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukraine
NABU has exposed MP and officials from Poltava City Council in kickback scheme involving road repairs. PHOTO In Poltava, detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau have exposed a city councillor and city hall officials for a corruption scheme involving road repairs and maintenance. 1 743 16 Previously in trend: Road repairs
Scheme of embezzlement of military property exposed: deputy commander of military unit among suspects – NABU. PHOTOS Anti-corruption agencies have exposed a large-scale scheme of embezzlement of military property involving the deputy commander of a military unit in the Kharkiv region. 3 052 27 Previously in trend: Corruption in defence
Court fined former head of Kremenchuk TCR nearly 3 million hryvnias for unjustified assets, - SAPO A panel of judges at the High Anti-Corruption Court granted the claim filed by a prosecutor from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office against the former head of the Kremenchuk District Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support. 1 396 13 Previously in trend: Corruption in TCR
MPs want to ban law enforcement from publishing evidence of corruption involving top politicians, – Shabunin A proposal has been put forward in the Rada to imprison law enforcement officers for publishing evidence of corruption and other crimes committed by high-ranking officials. 7 727 103 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine
Scheme worth 150 million hryvnias: "GTS Operator" purchased defence equipment with 100% mark-up, - Zhelezniak. VIDEO "Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine" procured concrete blocks to protect gas transmission facilities through front companies. The company has already lost 70 million hryvnias on completed contracts. In total, the overpayment could amount to at least 150 million hryvnias for the... 3 706 22 Previously in trend: Energy sector corruption
ST. PETERSBURG and KRONSTADT on fire! / Who wrecked Ministry of Defense? // Uncensored. VIDEO Journalist and serviceman Bohdan Butkevych is breaking down the hottest topics of recent days live. 3 922 0 Previously in trend: Corruption in MoD Striking Russia
HACC imposes preventive measure on organizer of scheme to embezzle nearly UAH 170 million during construction of Tashlyk Pumped Storage Power Plant The High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) has imposed a preventive measure on the organizer of a scheme to embezzle nearly UAH 170 million during the construction of the Tashlyk Pumped Storage Power Plant (PSPP) within the Energoatom system: pre-trial detention with the alternative of UAH 30 million... 1 832 8 Previously in trend: Energy sector corruption
35.6% of Ukrainians believe that progress towards EU membership is hindered by corruption in government bodies, - poll. INFOGRAPHICS Ukrainians consider issues related to public administration and corruption to be the key obstacles to EU membership. 822 22 Previously in trend: Ukraine’s Membership in the EU Corruption in Ukraine
Corruption in energy sector: scheme to embezzle nearly 170 million hryvnias from "Energoatom" during construction of the Tashlyk Pumped Storage Power Plant has been exposed, - NABU. PHOTO The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have uncovered a large-scale corruption scheme involving the misappropriation of funds from the state-owned enterprise ‘NAEK Energoatom’ during the construction of a critical... 1 589 9 Previously in trend: Energy sector corruption
Zelenskyy has ordered preparations for another 2–3 years of war, - Economist Sources within the Ukrainian government cited by The Economist claim that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed officials to prepare for a possible extension of the war by another two to three years. 13 345 173 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations
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