SEMEN KRYVONOS
NABU Director

In the last six months, we focused on increasing the efficiency of investigations and optimizing the work of the Bureau. Today's challenge is to eradicate corruption, which is worse than just a crime in wartime. After all, every hryvnia stolen from the state budget is a betrayal of those Ukrainian men and women who defend our country at the front with weapons in their hands. The challenge of the future is the rebuilding of Ukraine after victory, where zero tolerance for corruption should be taken for granted. The pace of recovery will depend on this. First, we continued to digitize the criminal justice process. Currently, the eCase electronic criminal proceedings system is almost implemented: it remains to complete the integration with the "D-3" court system, which will allow detectives to submit motions to the court online. Going "digital" will save both human and paper resources. The Bureau has also introduced a mechanism for prioritizing investigations: detectives focus on crimes committed during the war, as well as embezzlement of funds allocated for reconstruction. After all, corruption is our defeat in the ongoing fight with the enemy. However, in order to increase the efficiency of investigations, we critically need to expand the staff: currently, 250 detectives cannot tackle all corruption crimes in the country. While we are waiting for the relevant decisions of the parliament, we were able to create a new detective department in Dnipro on our own, as well as increase the personnel involved in investigations by 20 people. For this, the administrative block had to be shortened. I want to thank every detective, every analyst, every employee of NABU. The work you do methodically, sometimes routinely, but extremely effectively, brings us closer to the country of the future. A country we will be proud of.

OLEKSANDR KLYMENKO
SAPO Head

Ukraine steps up the fight against corruption, making the first half of this year the most productive period in the history of SAPO and NABU. Thanks to coordinated and professional work, we have notified 137 persons of suspicion and filed 58 indictments against 147 persons. In addition to increasing the quantitative indicators of our work, the activities of SAPO and NABU also demonstrate better quality. A criminal organization involving the former head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine has been exposed, the chairman of the Supreme Court and his intermediary have been caught receiving undue advantages, and an indictment has been sent to court in the high-profile "Rotterdam+". These achievements are just the tip of the iceberg. SAPO prosecutors have also ensured public prosecution in over 250 cases. Following court proceedings involving SAPO prosecutors, the High Anti-Corruption Court has issued 31 verdicts regarding 42 persons, significantly surpassing previous periods' statistics. During this half-year, SAPO has continued to take efforts in civil confiscation. Prosecutors have filed 4 asset recovery claims and achieved their first victory. We are also working closely with NABU to take all possible measures to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We have ensured the allocation of over UAH 1.9 billion for the needs of the military, including the Army of Drones project under the United24 fundraising platform. At the same time, given the limited human and institutional resources, SAPO urgently requires reform, enhanced independence and capabilities. These steps will allow us to achieve better results and demonstrate to international partners the readiness of the anti-corruption system for Ukraine's reconstruction.

INVESTIGATION

NABU and SAPO continued their fight against internal enemy - corruption 

In 2023, detectives and prosecutors maintained their high work pace: in the last six months alone, they exposed and served suspicion notices on 137 persons. Indictments against 147 persons were sent to court. As a result, nearly a thousand persons are now facing trial.

INTERACTION

The appointment of the National Bureau Director in March 2023 contributes to Ukraine's progress in the fight against corruption on its path towards Euro-Atlantic integration. Strengthening international cooperation is one of the Bureau's main priorities.

The leadership and representatives of the National Bureau actively participated in international projects, including a study visit to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Austria and participation in the Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum. They also attended various events held in Paris at the headquarters of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

CHALLENGES

The need to win the war and rebuild the country after victory are the main goals and priorities for the entire nation as a whole and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine in particular.

Corruption today is not just a criminal offense; it's a crime against the Ukrainian state and people, direct aid to the enemy, and a blow to the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, both men and women, who defend the country's independence with weapons in hand.

APPENDICES

These appendices contain statistical information on the NABU activities in the first half of 2023 as required by Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine “On the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine”