⚠️ UKRAINE OFFICIALS HELD IN DRONE PROCUREMENT SCANDAL

Ukraine’s anti-graft bodies, NABU and SAPO, arrested four individuals, including a member of parliament, local officials, and National Guard personnel, over a massive corruption scheme tied to military drone and signal jammer contracts. Kickbacks reportedly reached up to 30% of contract values. This crackdown came just two days after parliament reinstated the agencies’ independence following a public outcry.⚖️

This scandal exposed how inflated procurement deals siphoned public funds amid war efforts, raising questions over oversight in the defense sector. President Zelenskiy previously attempted to place the anti-corruption bodies under the prosecutor-general’s authority, provoking Ukraine’s largest protests since the 2022 invasion.🌍

NABU and SAPO hailed the arrests as proof of their mandate to tackle graft, emphasizing the importance of remaining autonomous. European allies praised the decision and warned that weakening these agencies could jeopardize Ukraine’s path toward EU membership.🇪🇺

💬Insight: In times of conflict, corruption isn’t just a moral failure, it weakens defense capacity and erodes public trust. Reaffirming institutional independence is vital to maintaining legitimacy and effectiveness.

❓Could the restoration of agency autonomy mark a turning point in Ukraine’s fight against corruption, or will entrenched power networks continue to resist accountability?

🔗 Source: BBC News