Ukraine Reinstates Independence of Anti-Corruption Agencies Amid Major Graft Scheme Unveiling

Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies unveiled a graft scheme involving inflated procurement prices for military equipment after regaining independence. Parliament restored the agencies' autonomy following protests. President Zelenskiy, facing pressure from European allies, approved the change, signaling zero tolerance for corruption. Several individuals, including a lawmaker, were implicated.

Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies announced the discovery of a significant graft scheme on Saturday, involving overpriced military drone and signal jamming equipment. This revelation comes just two days after parliament restored the independence of these agencies, following a wave of protests prompted by an attempt to limit their autonomy.

The bodies, NABU and SAPO, have caught several individuals, including a sitting lawmaker and local officials, in a bribery scandal. Their statement reveals that contracts with supplier companies were inflated, with kickbacks reaching up to 30% of the cost. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.

Under pressure both from domestic protests and European allies, Zelenskiy reversed an earlier decision to curtail the agencies' independence. This move, critical to Ukraine's EU membership aspirations, was praised by European officials and highlights the ongoing struggle for accountability in wartime Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies.)