Ukraine officials took bribes to purchase drones & defence systems at inflated prices, graft probe finds

Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have uncovered a large-scale graft scheme involving inflated military procurement contracts, just two days after parliament voted to restore their independence.

In a joint statement on Saturday (August 2), the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) said suspects had taken bribes in a plot that used state funds to purchase drones and other military equipment at inflated prices.

“The essence of the scheme was to conclude state contracts with supplier companies at deliberately inflated prices,” the statement said, adding that offenders had received kickbacks worth up to 30 per cent of the contracts’ value.

The agencies did not name the detainees but confirmed that a Ukrainian lawmaker, local officials and National Guard servicemen were involved. Four people have been arrested so far. The Interior Ministry said the implicated National Guard personnel had been removed from their posts.

Why are drones central to the case?

Drones have become a key element in modern warfare for both Ukraine and Russia, playing a critical role in reconnaissance, precision strikes and battlefield flexibility. Many of Russia’s destroyed military assets, including troops and heavy weapons, have been targeted by Ukrainian drones. Expanding drone production is also central to Kyiv’s plans to boost domestic defence manufacturing and exports.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the corruption scandal in his nightly address on Saturday, calling it “absolutely immoral” and praising the agencies for their work.

“Unfortunately, these corruption schemes involved the procurement of electronic warfare systems and FPV drones … There must be full and fair accountability for this,” he said.

In an earlier post on X, accompanied by photos of him meeting agency heads, Zelenskyy said it was “important that anti-corruption institutions operate independently,” adding that “the law passed on Thursday guarantees them all the tools necessary for a real fight against corruption.”

How did parliament restore the agencies’ powers?

The revelations came just two days after Ukraine’s parliament overwhelmingly approved a bill reversing Zelenskyy’s earlier decision to curb the watchdogs’ authority. That move had sparked criticism from the public, the European Union and international rights groups, as well as rare street protests during wartime.

The earlier measure placed the agencies under the prosecutor-general’s oversight, raising concerns that the government could interfere in investigations and protect allies from scrutiny.

Tackling entrenched corruption is seen as vital for Ukraine’s efforts to join the EU and sustain billions of dollars in western aid as the war with Russia enters its fourth year. It is also an issue with strong public backing.

With inputs from AP