Corruption and mobilisation scandals are unfolding across Ukraine in 2025. In a significant revelation, People's Deputy Yaroslav Zhelezniak uncovered a Ministry of Culture scheme where 3,000 men evaded mobilisation by leaving the country as "artists." The SSU dismantled embezzlement schemes in Odesa, where nearly UAH 100 million was misappropriated during the ongoing war. Chernivtsi RMA head Ruslan Zaparaniuk faces accusations of coercing regional council deputies by threatening to retract military exemptions. Additionally, a serviceman in Dnipro demanded money for protection from mobilisation, while a Dnipropetrovsk deputy engaged in a fictitious military service scheme for personal gain. Allegations also arose against Kyiv and Volyn officials for illegal updates on military records. These incidents highlight pervasive corruption amidst the mobilisation efforts in Ukraine.
What corruption schemes were identified in Ukraine's Ministry of Culture?
The Ministry of Culture was implicated in a corruption scheme allowing 3,000 men to leave Ukraine under false pretexts of being "artists," facilitating their escape from mandatory mobilisation. This fraudulent activity was exposed as a means for draft dodgers to evade military service, highlighting gaps in oversight and enforcement within state institutions.
How did the battalion command in Odesa misuse funds during the war?
The SSU revealed that a battalion command in Odesa embezzled nearly UAH 100 million through fraudulent schemes. These schemes were orchestrated during the full-scale war, involving the misuse of defence funds intended for military purposes, and were uncovered with aid from Ukraine's military leadership and police forces.
Who was involved in the Chernivtsi regional council collusion case?
In Chernivtsi, Ruslan Zaparaniuk, the head of the regional military administration, was involved in a scandal for attempting to manipulate deputies of the regional council by coercing them for votes. The leaked audio suggests he threatened to withdraw military exemptions unless council members complied with his directives.
What military service scam involved a Dnipropetrovsk deputy?
A Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council deputy engaged in a fraudulent military service scheme to build a positive public image and fraudulently received payments exceeding 200,000 hryvnias. The scheme involved fake participation in the Armed Forces, exploiting the situation for personal and political advantage.
What was the illegal activity concerning military records in Kyiv and Volyn?
Officials in Kyiv and Volyn were implicated in an illegal scheme to alter and update military records for a fee of $9,000. These actions circumvented lawful procedures intended to maintain accurate records, underscoring systemic weaknesses exploited for personal gain, thus impacting trust in military administrative processes.
Who was charged with demanding money for protection from mobilisation?
A serviceman from Dnipro was charged with demanding money from a football team in exchange for "protection" from mobilisation. The State Bureau of Investigation concluded a pre-trial investigation, indicating the abuse of authority and the exploitation of mobilisation concerns for financial extortion.
