The past year was marked by difficult decisions and growing responsibility for Ukraine’s anti-corruption system. It was not an easy year—neither in terms of the conditions we faced nor the high expectations that society rightly places on anti-corruption agencies. At the same time, the results achieved in previous years have set a high bar.

This benchmark is both a major accomplishment and a constant challenge against which our work is measured today.

Operating in an environment where every step forward becomes increasingly difficult means not only maintaining performance but also proving our institutional capacity daily. The full-scale war, political shifts, and general institutional turbulence defined the landscape in which NABU operated. Under these conditions, one principle remains paramount: the Bureau acts strictly within the law, professionally and independently, never overstepping its mandate or responsibility.

This year was also a time for internal reflection and self-criticism. Recognizing the complexity of our tasks demands greater rigor toward ourselves, our processes, and the decisions we make every day. Not all results are immediately visible, but it is this consistent, methodical work that builds institutional resilience and allows us to move forward without illusions, but with a clear understanding of our role.

I am grateful to our colleagues at the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office for their professional cooperation, endurance, and shared responsibility. Without this partnership, the effective functioning of the anti-corruption system would be impossible.

I extend my sincere gratitude to the NABU team for the professionalism and dedication shown throughout this year. The work of our detectives, analysts, and all supporting units often remains behind the scenes, yet it is their effort that defines our institution's true ability to fulfill its mission. Constant pressure and complexity were never used as excuses; on the contrary, they demanded even greater focus, internal discipline, and commitment to our principles.

Special thanks to civil society for your active stance, integrity, and readiness to publicly defend the independence of anti-corruption institutions. Your critical eye and demand for accountability are vital components of democratic oversight, ensuring the system never loses its bearings. This interaction is complex yet essential for institutional growth.

I also express my gratitude to our international partners for their steadfast support, trust, and principled position on preserving the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption framework. This support carries both practical and symbolic weight, reaffirming that Ukraine's path toward reform and the rule of law remains our shared value.

This report is more than a summary of achievements; it is a snapshot of an institution being further tempered during a pivotal stage for Ukraine’s anti-corruption system. NABU enters the next period with a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges ahead and our responsibility to the public, knowing that trust and results must be earned through our work every single day.

The second half of 2025 became a period of serious stress-testing for the resilience of Ukraine’s anti-corruption system and, at the same time, a confirmation of its ability to operate under increased pressure.

NABU and SAPO carried out their work in an environment of heightened political, informational, and institutional tension, which directly affected day-to-day operations and required maximum cohesion, professionalism, and commitment to principles from our teams.

Despite these challenges, SAPO prosecutors, in cooperation with NABU detectives, continued their systematic efforts to combat high-level corruption. In 2025, notices of suspicion were served on 218 individuals, and 124 indictments were submitted to court against 280 persons. The suspects include representatives of the highest levels of public authority, in particular in the energy and defense sectors, the judiciary, state-owned enterprises, and public administration bodies. These results reaffirm a fundamental principle: no position grants immunity from criminal liability.

Significant results were also achieved through the application of civil forfeiture mechanisms. In 2025, SAPO prosecutors filed 45 civil claims seeking the recovery of unjustified assets to the benefit of the state in the total amount exceeding UAH 260 million. This confirms the effectiveness of civil forfeiture as a key instrument for the recovery of unlawfully acquired assets.

The effectiveness of the anti-corruption system is further confirmed by judicial practice. In 2025, courts delivered 108 guilty verdicts, compared to 75 in 2024. This dynamic demonstrates not only the quality of pre-trial investigations and prosecutorial oversight, but also the system’s ability to bring complex corruption cases to their logical conclusion and ensure accountability in line with the public demand for justice.

Since the beginning of the full scale invasion, more than UAH 3 billion was transferred to support the Defense Forces of Ukraine through the recovery of bail amounts, fines, and the application of other procedural mechanisms. In the context of the full-scale war, this underscores the direct link between the fight against corruption and the country’s defense capability.

Strengthening SAPO’s institutional capacity remained a priority in 2025 and was pursued through the launch of new competitive selection procedures and the adoption of SAPO’s Development Strategy for 2026–2028.

At the same time, the second half of 2025 exposed systemic risks to the independence of the anti-corruption infrastructure. Decisions and initiatives that called into question the guarantees of independence of SAPO and NABU demonstrated that the achievements of the anti-corruption reform require constant protection and vigilance.

The teams of SAPO and NABU fully recognize the trust placed in them by Ukrainian society and international partners. We operate in an environment of turbulence, yet remain steadfast in our principles. The fight against high-level corruption is a daily effort upon which Ukraine’s future and its European path depend.