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Bribery, a persistent issue in Ukraine, has seen numerous cases unveiled in 2025. From high-ranking officials to local employees, corruption permeates various levels of government and public service. Noteworthy cases include a Deputy Prosecutor in the Zaporizhzhia Region under investigation for a $40,000 bribe and a state enterprise director accused of accepting ₴3 million for land allocation. The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) have been instrumental in exposing these illicit activities. Moreover, military-related bribery cases, such as smuggling draft dodgers and issuing false medical reports for mobilization evasion, highlight the intersection of corruption and national security. The ongoing revelations underscore the critical need for comprehensive anti-corruption measures to uphold the rule of law in Ukraine.
What are recent instances of bribery involving Ukrainian officials?
Recent instances include a regional prosecutor demanding a $10,000 bribe, and the Deputy Prosecutor of Zaporizhzhia Region being investigated for a $40,000 bribe. High-value cases also involve $1 million demands by Lviv's commercial court chairmen and $85,000 by a People's Deputy. Various military officials have also been implicated in bribery related to evading mobilization and issuing false disability reports.
How have Ukrainian authorities responded to bribery cases?
The authorities, including the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), and Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), have actively investigated and detained numerous individuals involved in bribery. High-profile trials and convictions demonstrate a commitment to tackling corruption, though challenges remain given the scale of these issues.
What are common schemes of bribery related to mobilization in Ukraine?
Common schemes involve military officials and medical personnel taking bribes to issue false documentation for disability or demobilization, enabling individuals to evade service. Others have organized illegal border crossings for draft dodgers or offered "comfort tours" for evasion, with fees amounting to thousands of dollars or euros. These actions undermine Ukraine's military integrity and highlight the necessity of anti-corruption efforts in the defense sector.
Can you detail a significant bribe case involving a Ukrainian military official?
One significant case involved an Odesa military unit commander who extorted 30% of his subordinates' salaries over seven months. The case highlights the abuse of power and the detrimental effect on morale and unit cohesion. Such cases are a focus for anti-corruption entities in Ukraine, aiming to cleanse the military of corrupt practices.
What role do anti-corruption agencies play in Ukraine's bribery investigations?
Anti-corruption agencies like the NABU and SAPO play a crucial role in identifying, investigating, and prosecuting bribery cases. These agencies have been effective in uncovering schemes involving high-level officials and law enforcers, as well as municipal and regional employees. Their efforts are vital to promoting transparency and adhering to legal standards, although continuous vigilance and resources are needed to sustain the momentum against corruption.
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$10,000 to let wanted man through: two drivers were detained at Yahodyn whilst attempting to bribe border guard. PHOTOS At the ‘Yahodyn’ border crossing, law enforcement officers detained two drivers of an international coach who had attempted to offer a bribe of 10,000 US dollars to an officer of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. 1 026 5
Fake NABU employee demanded $500,000 from businessman: he has been detained. VIDEO+PHOTO A man has been exposed for posing as an employee of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and promising a businessman, in exchange for money, to ‘sort out’ problems relating to taxes, the courts and criminal prosecution. 2 588 6 Previously in trend: Grafters
From $4,000 to $7,000 for service in "rear": two cases of extorting money from military personnel uncovered in western Ukraine – SBI. PHOTOS Two cases of extorting money from military personnel in exchange for the opportunity to remain in or transfer to service in the rear have been uncovered in the Lviv and Zakarpattia regions. 1 051 3 Previously in trend: Evasion of military service
An official in Ukrainian Armed Forces demanded 10,000 euros from supplier of camouflage equipment, - SSU The head of one of the departments at a military research institute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been caught demanding a bribe from a supplier of camouflage equipment for the Ukrainian army. 974 2 Previously in trend: Bribery in army
NABU has exposed tax officials in Ternopil region: €75,000 in bribes and 11.5 per cent ’kickback’. PHOTOS The Main Directorate of the State Tax Service in the Ternopil region has uncovered a scheme involving the receipt of bribes from local companies. 2 874 8 Previously in trend: Bribery in the tax service
Former "Servant of People" MP Yurchenko sentenced to 9 years in prison with partial asset confiscation for bribery The High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) found Oleksandr Yurchenko, an MP elected from the "Servant of the People" party, guilty of bribery and sentenced him to nine years in prison. The case had been ongoing since 2020. 9 669 31 Previously in trend: Grafters Bribery in government
Supreme Court has overturned dismissal of three judges from Kyiv Court of Appeal who were caught taking bribe of $35,000, – Shabunin The Supreme Court has overturned the decision of the High Council of Justice (HCJ) to dismiss three judges of the Kyiv Court of Appeal – Ihor Pallenyk, Yurii Slyva and Viktor Hlynianyi – whom the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s... 7 785 58 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine Grafters
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... 967 3 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukrzaliznytsia
Bribery has consequences: SBI launches large-scale anti-corruption campaign. VIDEO The State Bureau of Investigations, with the support of the European Union Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine), is launching a large-scale awareness campaign entitled ‘Bribery has consequences’. 4 711 20 Previously in trend: Grafters
Sold confidential data from secret databases: SBI has exposed SSU operative in Zhytomyr region. PHOTO Officers from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), with the assistance of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), have detained an investigating officer from the Korosten District Department of the SSU in the Zhytomyr region, who was selling information about the owners of certain telephone... 2 618 9
4.5 million UAH bribe demanded for acceptance of EW for AFU: NABU and SAPO expose two military officers for bribery. PHOTOS Anti-corruption authorities have caught two military personnel taking bribes; they had demanded an unlawful benefit from company representatives in exchange for ensuring the unhindered acceptance of electronic warfare equipment. 21 029 29 Previously in trend: Bribery in army
Telegram channel owner demanded $3,500 to remove compromising material about businessman: He fled to Germany, extradition being prepared The founder of a Telegram channel, who has been living in Germany as a refugee since 2022, has been notified of suspicion of extorting money in exchange for removing false information published about the head of a company and his business. 4 404 18 Previously in trend: Extortion of funds Anonymous Telegram channels
Former TCR head and accomplice promised to "resolve" mobilisation issue in Rivne region for $6,000 Law enforcement officers exposed two Rivne residents who, according to investigators, promised to have men liable for military service removed from the wanted list and secure them a deferment from mobilisation for $6,000. One of the suspects formerly headed a Territorial Centre of Recruitment... 968 6 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization
He tried to leave country as foreign national for $3,000: man with two passports was detained at border with Moldova. PHOTOS At the ‘Mohyliv-Podilskyi’ road border crossing, border guards from the Mohyliv-Podilskyi detachment foiled an attempt to bribe an official. 3 727 19 Previously in trend: Illegal border crossing
Former Odesa region judge Dobrov sentenced to 7 years for accepting UAH 50,000 bribe The High Anti-Corruption Court sentenced the former acting chairman of the Kominternivskyi District Court in the Odesa region to seven years in prison. The judge was found guilty of accepting a bribe of nearly UAH 50,000. According to media reports, the former judge is Pavlo Dobrov. 2 063 13 Previously in trend: Grafters Bribery in courts
$5,000 for service behind front lines: official and his accomplice have been exposed in Kyiv region. PHOTO In Kyiv, charges have been brought against the head of a branch of one of the district TCR and SS and the head of a civil society organisation, who organised a scheme to accept bribes from conscripts. 1 573 5
Former commander, who was already convicted of murdering subordinate, received new suspicion: he took bribes for "not sending" him to infantry The former commander is suspected of systematically accepting bribes from subordinates who paid to avoid being assigned to infantry units. He received 680,000 hryvnias from seven service members. 2 678 6 Previously in trend: Bribery in army
Head of Mykolaiv Regional TCR detained over $15,000 bribe for evading mobilisation – Prosecutor General Kravchenko. PHOTOS The head of the Mykolaiv Regional TCR and SS was detained while receiving another instalment of an undue advantage. According to the investigation, the official demanded and received a total of USD 15,000. 9 406 51 Previously in trend: Grafters Corruption in TCR
He collected "tribute" from subordinates and tried to flee Ukraine: head of Security Police unit in Dnipropetrovsk region detained – SBI. VIDEO+PHOTOS The head of a Security Police unit in the Dnipropetrovsk region has been detained on suspicion of organising systematic extortion payments from his subordinates. More than 100 police officers paid their superiors between UAH 3,000 and UAH 8,000 each month, with the total "tribute" exceeding UAH... 5 735 25 Previously in trend: Extortion of funds
Former SSU head Maliuk does not appear in case of extortion of $1 million for avoiding extradition to Russia, - NABU Former SBU Chairman Vasyl Malyuk is not named in the case involving the extortion of $1 million in exchange for avoiding extradition to Russia. 31 431 16 Previously in trend: Extortion of funds
Two Tax Service officials exposed for extorting UAH 80,000 from entrepreneur in Sumy region – Prosecutor General’s Office. PHOTOS Two employees of the Main Directorate of the State Tax Service in the Sumy region demanded a UAH 80,000 bribe from an entrepreneur. 1 135 6 Previously in trend: Grafters
Man demands $1 million to help avoid extradition to Russia, is detained – NABU. VIDEO+PHOTOS Anti-corruption agencies exposed an individual who demanded $1 million for assistance in resolving the issue of a citizen’s extradition to Russia. 4 828 16 Previously in trend: Extortion of funds
14 million in cash for bogus disability claims: law enforcement officers have arrested group of doctors in Kharkiv region and revealed bedroom full of dollars. PHOTOS A scheme involving the illegal granting of disability status to conscripts has been uncovered in the Kharkiv region. For between 5,000 and 8,000 US dollars, they were helped to obtain documents entitling them to a deferment from mobilisation. 8 576 34 Previously in trend: Fake disability among prosecutors
A man has been arrested in Volyn who promised to "remove" a border guard from service for $20,000. PHOTO In Lutsk, law enforcement officers arrested a 47-year-old man who had demanded $20,000 from the family of a border guard in exchange for helping him to be discharged from military service on health grounds. 870 5 Previously in trend: Evasion of military service
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. 4 430 23 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukraine Bribery in government
Extorting bribes from business owners for "not drafting" employees: Head of Zhytomyr Regional TCR to stand trial The case against the head of the Zhytomyr Regional TCR has been referred to court. 9 212 11 Previously in trend: Corruption in TCR
NABU announced that MP Tyshchenko was under suspicion of "resolving issue" with call centres for $1 million The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have notified Mykola Tyshchenko, a sitting Member of the Ukrainian Parliament, that he is under investigation on suspicion of soliciting an unlawful benefit. 5 869 50 Previously in trend: Tyshchenko’s case Dismantling call center networks
$150,000 to close case: NABU exposes SSU officer taking bribe. VIDEO+PHOTOS Anti-corruption authorities have charged an SSU officer with inciting a business representative to offer a bribe to law enforcement officers in order to recover money seized during a search and have the criminal proceedings dropped. 5 863 25 Previously in trend: Grafters
Army corps officials suspected of extorting money from soldiers: charged with 274,000 UAH. PHOTOS Three officials from an army corps in the Kharkiv region are suspected of extorting money from soldiers. 3 694 13 Previously in trend: Bribe-takers in military units
Lawyer who attempted to bribe prosecutors from SAPO with $200,000 was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison A Kyiv-based lawyer who attempted to bribe prosecutors from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) has been sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison. 935 14 Previously in trend: Grafters
State Border Service official and drone manufacturer suspected of demanding $1 million bribe, - SAPO. VIDEO The Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) have exposed an official from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the owner of a private drone manufacturing company, who are suspected of extorting $1 million in bribes. 1 567 4 Previously in trend: Production of drones Procurement of drones
Extorted $1 million for drone supplies: SBGSU official and owner of private company exposed – SAPO. VIDEO An official from the State Border Guard Service and the owner of a private drone manufacturing company have been notified that they are under suspicion of extorting $1 million. 6 984 20 Previously in trend: Grafters Extortion of funds
Tax official in Sumy Oblast suspected of helping State Tax Service chief receive UAH 1.5 million bribe – SAPO The Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) have served a notice of suspicion on a tax official in Sumy Oblast who helped the head of a department at the Main Directorate of the State Tax Service demand and receive a UAH... 734 1 Previously in trend: Bribery in the tax service
Demanded 100,000 UAH from subordinate for ’unhindered’ service: military personnel exposed in Dnipropetrovsk region, – National Police. PHOTOS An illegal scheme involving extortion and the acceptance of bribes by officials at one of the military units has been uncovered. In exchange for 100,000 hryvnias, they guaranteed that a subordinate would not face disciplinary action and, as a result, would retain his bonus. The suspects have... 2 082 9 Previously in trend: Bribe-takers in military units
Mayor of port city in Odesa Oblast demanded $35,000 bribe for approving construction of new power plant: he was detained – SSU. PHOTO The Security Service has detained the mayor of a town in the Odesa region who demanded bribes during the modernisation of the southern region’s energy infrastructure. 3 112 35 Previously in trend: Grafters
Four senior officials at National Police have been suspended from their posts over case involving protection of ’porn offices’ National Police Chief Ivan Vyhovskyi has launched an internal investigation and suspended four officials from regional units who are implicated in a case involving the receipt of improper benefits, specifically a scheme to cover up "porn offices". 2 604 25 Previously in trend: National Police porn office protection scheme
Senior officials detained while accepting bribe, suspects include aide to deputy head of Interior Ministry, Ivano-Frankivsk police chief and his deputy Several senior law enforcement officials have been detained while accepting a bribe. 15 413 69 Previously in trend: Grafters
National Police confirm searches at regional headquarters in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil and Zhytomyr regions Ukraine’s National Police have confirmed reports of searches at National Police headquarters in three regions. 5 083 22 Previously in trend: Grafters
Drunk State Geocadastre official detained for extorting 300,000 hryvnias from farmer, - SBI. PHOTO Officers from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), working in conjunction with the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), have exposed the head of one of the State Geocadastre’s sectors in the Kharkiv region, who demanded and received a bribe of 300,000 hryvnias from the manager of a local farm. 1 753 3 Previously in trend: Grafters
Ukrainian Armed Forces major suspected of extorting 100,000 UAH for supplying food to troops in Odesa. PHOTO A major – the head of a food depot at one of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ supply centres in Odesa – has been served with a notice of suspicion. 1 518 9 Previously in trend: Corruption in defence
SSU officer was arrested for taking $34,000 bribe to defer mobilisation. PHOTO Law enforcement officers have uncovered and put a stop to the illegal activities of a serving SSU officer and his accomplice, a businessman, who had organised a scheme involving the fictitious employment of men to secure deferrals from conscription. 4 854 21 Previously in trend: Grafters Bribery in the SSU
Demanded $1,500 from war veteran to remove him from register: TCR officer detained in Dnipro. PHOTOS The Security Service, in conjunction with the National Police, has detained an employee of one of the mobilisation departments of the TCR and SS in Dnipro, who had organised a scheme to systematically extort bribes from conscripts. 4 786 43 Previously in trend: Grafters Corruption in TCR
In Odesa, naval academy officer demanded $1,600 for admission to exam session. PHOTOS In Odesa, law enforcement officers have arrested a course officer at a maritime university who was demanding money from students in exchange for resolving issues relating to their studies. 3 064 17 Previously in trend: Grafters
Head of SSU department in Poltava region and subordinate exposed for $110,000 bribe, - NABU Anti-corruption bodies exposed the head of an investigative department of the SBU Directorate in Poltava region and his subordinate for taking a $110,000 bribe. 9 689 75 Previously in trend: Grafters Bribery in the SSU
In Kyiv, National Police detained two men who demanded $20,000 from wife of mobilized man for his release from TCR. PHOTOS In Kyiv, law enforcement officers detained two accomplices who demanded $20,000 from the common-law wife of a mobilized man for his "release" from a Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR and SS) and for arranging a finding that he was unfit for military service, using... 3 622 18 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization
SBI detains MMC head Pauk on bribery charges in Zakarpattia - nearly $500,000 found – media Law enforcement officers have arrested Volodymyr Pauk, a dermatologist and head of the military medical commission (MMC) at Berehove Hospital in Zakarpattia, on bribery charges. 8 242 50 Previously in trend: Grafters
Demanded $100,000 cash bribe for dismantling railway track: "UZ"official detained in Khmelnytskyi region. VIDEO&PHOTOS The deputy director of the Environmental Safety Department at JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia" has been arrested for demanding $100,000 from a representative of a granite manufacturing company in the Khmelnytskyi region. 4 435 10 Previously in trend: Grafters
Odesa region district TRC official promised to resolve AWOL issue for $10,000, he was detained. PHOTOS In the Odesa region, law enforcement officers exposed an official of a district Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support (TRC and SS) who, for a bribe, promised to help a serviceman avoid liability for absence without leave (AWOL) and assist with employment. 1 515 13 Previously in trend: Grafters AWOL in AFU
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