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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.
Photo news corruption
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
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
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
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
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
"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
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
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
National Police conduct 70 searches at medical facilities over schemes involving public funds. PHOTOS The National Police of Ukraine are investigating possible schemes involving the misappropriation of funds in healthcare facilities. This concerns fictitious services provided under the medical guarantee scheme. 2 790 14 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine
Corruption schemes in State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection: exposures in Mykolaiv, Bukovyna, and Volyn regions. PHOTOS Law enforcement officers have exposed a series of corruption offenses among officials of territorial units of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in various regions of Ukraine. 3 368 12
Cherkasy region deputy mayor exposed for trying to close criminal case for $5,000 The deputy of one of the city mayors in Cherkasy region was exposed for providing an unlawful benefit to the head of one of the departments of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Cherkasy region for making a decision to close a criminal proceeding in which he is a suspect. 925 3 Previously in trend: Grafters
We are preparing effective solutions to combat AWOL and corruption in TCR, - Budanov. PHOTO Corruption in the TCR and SS systems, as well as in the AWOL in the armed forces, are problems that affect our defence capability. 14 860 186 Previously in trend: Corruption in TCR
Over million hryvnias for evading mobilisation: corruption schemes exposed in several regions, - Office of Prosecutor General. PHOTOS A number of corruption schemes related to evading mobilisation and illegally influencing the decisions of officials in the field of military service have been exposed. 3 939 19 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization
In Zaporizhzhia, unit commander through whom staff members received "combat" payments to be tried. PHOTO In Zaporizhia, the head of a military unit and the head of the financial service will be tried for allowing staff officers to receive combat bonuses. 4 302 26 Previously in trend: Abuse in defence sector
102 million hryvnias embezzled for purchase of tank protection: NABU exposes corruption in defence sector. PHOTO A scheme has been uncovered through which more than 102 million hryvnias were embezzled for dynamic protection for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' armoured vehicles. 3 572 14 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine
NABU’s notice of suspicion for Mindich mentions his friendly relations with Zelenskyy. DOCUMENT The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has notified businessman Tymur Mindich of suspicion on multiple counts. 8 549 36 Previously in trend: Mindichgate
73% of Ukrainians believe that level of corruption in Ukraine has increased during full-scale war – poll. INFOGRAPHICS The vast majority of surveyed Ukrainian citizens believe that corruption in Ukraine has significantly increased since the start of the full-scale invasion. Ukrainians most frequently name the head of state and the Office of the President as those responsible for corruption in government bodies. 6 291 56 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukraine
Zhelezniak: New NABU "tapes" reveal how Mindich financed Dynasty residential complex with stolen money. PHOTO MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak responded to the new audio recordings released by NABU in the case of Tymur Mindich, co-owner of the Kvartal-95 studio and an associate of the president. 23 742 19 Previously in trend: Wiretapping in Mindich’s apartment Energy sector corruption
Since beginning of year, SBI has sent 6,500 corruption cases to court, including against MPs and judges. INFOGRAPHICS Employees of the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) continue to systematically combat corruption in government and law enforcement agencies. 777 15 Previously in trend: Officials’ abuse of power
Kyiv customs officials took bribes for unhindered customs clearance of used cars: they were detained. VIDEO+PHOTO Under the procedural guidance of the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office, the deputy head and inspector of one of the customs posts of the Kyiv Customs Office were exposed. 3 230 27 Previously in trend: Bribe takers at customs offices
Education scandal in Chernivtsi: places in postgraduate programmes were sold for $4,500. PHOTO Prosecutors in the Chernivtsi region, together with the police, exposed a scheme to sell postgraduate places in three universities at once. 4 037 23 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine Corruption and mobilisation Corruption in Ukraine
In nine months, State Bureau of Investigation referred 5,879 corruption cases to court: among accused are MPs, judges, and customs officers. INFOGRAPHICS Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation continue to systematically fight corruption in government and law enforcement agencies. In the first nine months of 2025, SBI investigators completed pre-trial investigations in 5,879 criminal proceedings and sent indictments against 6,321 people to... 855 5
Kuznetsov, "servant of people" suspected of corruption, and Pronin, head of State Financial Monitoring Service, appeared in Rada, - Yuzhanina. PHOTO On 4 September, Oleksii Kuznetsov, MP of the "Servant of the People", who is suspected of corruption schemes in the procurement of drones and electronic warfare equipment, and Filip Pronin, head of the State Financial Monitoring Service, appeared in the Verkhovna Rada. He is also under... 4 319 15 Previously in trend: Embezzlement of funds for fortifications Drone procurement corruption
Deputy of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council fictitiously served in Armed Forces of Ukraine for sake of her image and received over 200,000 hryvnias, - SBI. VIDEO+PHOTOS SBI officers exposed a scheme of fictitious military service by a deputy of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council. All actions were aimed at creating a positive image and obtaining illegal payments from the state budget. 7 572 36 Previously in trend: Corruption and mobilisation
Prosecutor from regional prosecutor’s office detained for demanding $10,000 bribe to "resolve issue" in proceeding. PHOTO Law enforcement officers exposed a prosecutor from a regional prosecutor’s office department for soliciting an unlawful benefit. 18 772 16 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine Corruption in the Prosecutor’s Office
MPs want to close information on real estate that helps to record corruption - AntAC Tomorrow, the parliament will vote on draft law No. 11533, which proposes to restrict access to data on the exact location of real estate and cadastral numbers of land plots during martial law and for a year afterwards. 9 078 64 Previously in trend: Voting on law on closure of information on real estate objects
Land corruption: NABU uncovers criminal organization in Kyiv City Council during Operation ’Clean City’. VIDEO+PHOTOS The NABU and the SAPO conducted a large-scale operation "Clean City" to eliminate corruption in the land and budget sphere of Kyiv. The operation uncovered and terminated the activities of a criminal organisation headed by a media-famous former deputy of the Kyiv City Council (hereinafter - the... 8 845 54 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine
Only currency has changed since last detention of chief psychiatrist of Armed Forces of Ukraine, Druz, from hryvnias to dollars, - journalist Nikolov. PHOTO Journalist Yurii Nikolov recalled that the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleh Druz, was already detained on suspicion of corruption in 2017. 38 825 138
Head of NSSMC office Yanchuk went on "business trip" to Finland with his family on New Year’s Eve at expense of Yermak’s business partner - media Ruslan Magomedov, Chairman of the National Securities and Stock Market Commission (NSSMC), has signed an order to send Mykhailo Yanchuk, Head of the NSSMC Office, on a business trip to Finland from 1 to 8 January 2025. 24 488 70
Large-scale scheme of "extortion" on international tickets organised: officials of "Ukrzaliznytsia" were served notice of suspicion. PHOTOS Law enforcement officers served suspicion notices to "Ukrzaliznytsia" officials who earned millions on international tickets. For each flight, the train manager had to bring in a "cash register" - from 2000 hryvnias from the route within Ukraine and from 2000 to 5000 euros from the most popular... 6 735 20
Cost of "service" is $3,000: in Zaporizhzhia, employees of MSEC and private clinic who issued "disability" to men were exposed. PHOTOS In Zaporizhzhia, law enforcement officers exposed employees of a private clinic and a medical and social commission who were issuing fake disabilities to men of military age for money. The cost of the "service" was three thousand dollars. 2 136 7
SBI officer Hovorushchak and his family purchased real estate and cars worth UAH 35 million over several years - "Slidstvo.Info". VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Oleksandr Hovorushchak, who heads the department that investigates crimes committed by law enforcement officers and judges at the State Bureau of Investigation, and his family have purchased houses, apartments and cars worth UAH 35 million. The official and his relatives started acquiring... 16 016 93
They embezzled UAH 36 million for equipment for SU-27: New suspicion is served on former head of defense company and his accomplices. PHOTOS The SSU CI jointly with the BES and in cooperation with the management of JSC "Ukrainian Defense Industry" uncovered new episodes of misappropriation of budget funds for the purchase of spare parts for the Armed Forces of Ukraine combat aircraft - Su-27 and Mig-29. 4 532 10
For 21,000 euros, he promised to transport man abroad: SBI exposes official of canine center. PHOTO The State Bureau of Investigation, in cooperation with the Internal Security Department of the State Border Guard Service, exposed an official of the Dog Training Centre who wanted to set up a channel for smuggling men abroad. 1 867 2
Deputy Energy Minister Helio was detained in Kyiv on $500,000 bribe - SSU and NABU. VIDEO&PHOTOS The NABU and SAPO, together with the SSU and the Kyiv Region Prosecutor's Office, exposed the current Deputy Minister of Energy and three of his accomplices on receiving an undue benefit for granting permission to export mining equipment from the frontline area. 21 124 105 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine
NACP reveals unjustified assets worth more than UAH 19 million from former head of Carpathian District State Environmental Inspectorate. PHOTOS The National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, in the course of lifestyle monitoring, found signs of a corrupt criminal offence in the actions of the former head of the State Environmental Inspectorate of the Carpathian District - Chief State Inspector for Environmental Protection of the... 4 860 11
Corruption scheme at Odesa customs is eliminated: SSU detains two officials. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine eliminated a corruption scheme operating at Odesa Customs. Two officials face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property. 3 529 18
Head of Security Department of Ukrenergo is exposed on embezzlement of over UAH 10 million during purchase of bulletproof vests at inflated price - SSU and NABU. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine and the NABU exposed the head of one of the departments of the state-owned enterprise Ukrenergo for corruption, who in the spring of 2022 organized the purchase of bulletproof vests for the company's employees at an artificially high cost. 4 328 40
Prosecutor of Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office Hutsulyak settled in cottage community where houses cost from UAH 18 million - media. PHOTO Oleksandr Hutsulyak, a prosecutor in charge of environmental issues at the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, has moved into a cottage community that was the subject of a case handled by his office. The cost of houses here starts at UAH 18 million. 14 890 110 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine
Unfit for duty for $10 thousand: TCC employee and dentist exposed in corruption scheme in Khmelnytskyi region - National Police. PHOTO In Khmelnytskyi region, law enforcement officers neutralised a corruption scheme involving an official of the territorial centre for recruitment and social support and a dentist of a private clinic. Both suspects were served a notice of suspicion. 4 878 9 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine
SSU exposes Defense Ministry official who bought and "transferred" real estate and elite car fleet to civilian wife in 2022-23. PHOTO The SSU exposed the head of the Main Department of Capital Investments of the Ministry of Defense for corruption. In 2022-2023, the official bought and "transferred" real estate and an elite car fleet to his civilian wife. 12 202 25 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine
Four thousand dollars for diagnosis for deferment from mobilization - nurse was detained in Chernivtsi. PHOTOS In Chernivtsi, law enforcement officers detained a nurse who promised to diagnose a patient in exchange for $4,000 to obtain a deferment from mobilization. 6 390 28
"Servant of People" Odarchenko offered $50 thousand in bitcoins to head of State Agency for Recovery and Development of Infrastructure Naiiem, - NABU. PHOTOS A people’s deputy who tried to bribe the head of the State Agency for Infrastructure Recovery and Development was exposed. 14 257 66 Previously in trend: Grafters
SSU exposed large-scale embezzlement schemes of UAH 40 billion for PJSC "Ukrnafta" and "Ukrtatnafta". PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine exposed large-scale embezzlement schemes of 40 billion hryvnias by the former management of PJSC "Ukrnafta" and PJSC "Ukrtatnafta". It was established that illegal mechanisms were combined with tax evasion and legalization of funds obtained through criminal means. 17 412 110
Council is ready to implement all changes to fight corruption, - Stefanchuk. PHOTOS Head of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk met with the US Ambassador Bridget Brink 7 432 88 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine
Deputy of the Odesa regional council was detained while receiving 120 thousand UAH of bribe. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS On June 7, 2022, NABU detectives, under the procedural guidance of SAPO prosecutors together with the National Police, exposed a deputy of the Odesa Regional Council, chairman of one of the standing commissions of the regional council. 9 402 16 Previously in trend: Grafters War
SBI serves Veteran Affairs ex-head with suspicion of involvement in theft of UAH 22 Million. PHOTOS The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has served former head of the State Service for the Affairs of War Veterans and Participants in the Antiterrorist Operation, with notification of suspicion of involvement in the theft of UAH 22 million ($819 648). 11 535 62
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