Corruption in the Ministry for Development
In June, for the first time in the history of NABU and SAPO, a sitting Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine was exposed for corruption. This proves that no one is untouchable for anti-corruption agencies.
According to the investigation, a real estate developer approached the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development seeking a land plot for the construction of a residential complex. In collusion with other officials, the head of the ministry — who later became Deputy Prime Minister — facilitated the transfer of the land to a state-owned enterprise under his control, which subsequently signed contracts with a “preferred” construction company.
Under the scheme, the developer was obligated to transfer a number of the apartments in the new building to the state in proportion to the value of the land. To minimize this obligation, the land and the buildings on it were undervalued by nearly five times. The minister and his designated associates were “rewarded” with discounted apartments in already constructed buildings: the price per square meter ranged from UAH 1,000 to 8,000, while the market price was approximately UAH 30,000. The illicit benefit received by the minister in the form of these discounts exceeded UAH 14.5 million.
Thanks to NABU and SAPO, the land plot was seized, preventing potential damages to the state amounting to UAH 1 billion.
Six individuals involved in the scheme — including the sitting Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, the former State Secretary of the Ministry for Development (who was a board member of Naftogaz of Ukraine at the time), a former minister’s adviser, a former director of the state-owned enterprise, the developer, and a representative of the construction company — were served with notices of suspicion. The investigation is ongoing.
Anti-Corruption Operation “Clean City”
In February, NABU and SAPO dismantled a criminal organization that had taken control over decision-making for land allocation in Kyiv. In total, 10 high-ranking officials and other individuals were served with notices of suspicion. This was the result of the large-scale “Clean City” operation targeting corruption in the capital's land and budget sectors.
The members of the criminal organization used the so-called “toilet” scheme — they forged ownership rights to non-existent constructions and turned to the City Council, asking for the use of land underneath these fake buildings, bypassing open auctions. In return, they received illicit benefits — money and real estate — from newly minted landowners.
The organization was led by a media-known former member of the Kyiv City Council who exerted considerable influence over personnel decisions and budget distribution therein. Under his supervision, land plots were allocated to “preferred” persons. Others faced artificial obstacles, forcing them to turn to the criminal group for help.
To conceal their activities, the group used specialized mobile communication terminals, aliases, and counter-surveillance tactics. Land and other administrative issues were resolved not in the Kyiv City Council, as required, but in a completely different building that served as a shadow “decision-making center.”
Despite these measures, NABU and SAPO successfully uncovered the criminal scheme that resulted in the illegal removal of land in central Kyiv worth UAH 11.6 million from municipal ownership. Thanks to the timely intervention by law enforcement, the illegal seizure of six additional plots totaling UAH 83.7 million was prevented.
Currently, investigators are examining whether the suspects committed additional crimes aimed at seizing more land in the capital.
Case of the Former Deputy Head of the Presidential Office
In April, NABU and SAPO uncovered new episodes of corruption involving the former Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine — the legalization of illicit assets and the receipt of unlawful benefits. He had previously been notified of suspicion of illegal enrichment.
According to the investigation, between 2019 and 2021, the suspect unlawfully acquired large amounts of cash, which he sought to launder by investing in the construction of over 300 square meters of real estate in a recreational area of the Odesa region.
He transferred UAH 6.5 million to a company that owned coastal land for the construction of residential properties. The completed buildings, which the official effectively used, were initially registered under the company and later re-registered to a trusted associate.
Furthermore, in 2022, a developer approached the suspect and offered services worth USD 100,000 for the construction of one of the beachfront houses. In exchange, he requested assistance in canceling the results of a tender won by a competitor and ensuring the selection of a “preferred” company. The official accepted the offer, abused his position, and fulfilled the agreed arrangements.
In May, NABU detectives, together with SAPO prosecutors, completed the investigation of all episodes in the case. After the defense reviews the case materials, the indictment will be sent to court.
Scheme of Illegal Access to Restricted Court Decisions
As part of systematic efforts to combat information leaks, NABU and SAPO uncovered a scheme involving unauthorized access to the restricted section of the Unified State Register of Court Decisions. Two lawyers and the de facto head of a law firm were served with notices of suspicion.
The suspects illegally obtained a judge’s electronic key and accessed the restricted section of the court decisions register to retrieve information about rulings on motions filed by law enforcement agencies and the prosecution.
To facilitate this, they developed a special script that automatically collected data and the contents of new court decisions every 12 hours regarding their clients. The script also allowed for manual searches within the registry.
The information obtained through this illegal access was then used for criminal purposes. Specifically, the suspects monitored court rulings granting permission for searches and other investigative actions to warn their clients. The unlawfully obtained data were also used to prepare for investigative actions, destroy physical evidence and documents, and help suspects evade criminal liability.
In total, 39,615 search queries were made and 7,572 court decisions were viewed.
Uncovering this scheme marked a significant contribution to preventing the leakage of restricted information, which severely undermines the work of law enforcement agencies and often nullifies the efforts of detectives and prosecutors.
Extortion of USD 150,000 by ESB and Police Officers
In June, NABU and SAPO exposed yet another egregious case of corruption involving law enforcement officers. Two former detectives of the Economic Security Bureau (ESB) and an investigator from the Kyiv region police were served with notices of suspicion for demanding a bribe from a company executive.
The perpetrators asked for a substantial sum — USD 150,000. In return, they promised not to prosecute the entrepreneur and to unblock the company’s bank accounts. They also exerted pressure on the businessman, attempting to convince him of the inevitability of criminal punishment, a guilty verdict, and asset confiscation.
Unwilling to become a victim of unlawful actions, the entrepreneur reported the extortion attempt to law enforcement authorities.
Following the public disclosure of investigative actions, the suspects were dismissed from their positions.
One of the former ESB detectives was taken into custody, with bail set at UAH 4.24 million. The second detective and the former police officer were remanded on bail.
At the end of June, the investigation was completed. Once the defense has reviewed the case materials, the indictment will be submitted to court.
Misappropriation of Funds for Medical Equipment for Cancer Patients
In June, NABU and SAPO exposed a large-scale scheme involving the embezzlement of public funds allocated for the purchase of medical equipment for cancer patients.
According to the investigation, the de facto head of the largest group of medical equipment suppliers established a criminal organization composed of representatives from affiliated companies and officials of the National Cancer Institute. The primary goal was to secure non-competitive victories in the Institute’s tenders under the project “Establishment of a Modern Clinical Base for the Treatment of Oncological Diseases at the National Cancer Institute.”
First, to gain full control over equipment procurement, the Cancer Institute was designated as the manager of the budget funds.
Second, the medical equipment market was only superficially analyzed, with requests sent exclusively to affiliated companies.
Third, conditions were created to disqualify any independent or non-affiliated tender participants.
Fourth, to embezzle the maximum amount of funds, the prices of medical equipment were artificially inflated — in some cases by up to four times the original value. Affiliated foreign companies were inserted into the supply chain, equipment configurations were altered, and other manipulations were conducted. This has been confirmed by a range of evidence collected by law enforcement authorities across 12 countries.
As a result, the scheme’s participants misappropriated over UAH 231 million in public funds.
Six individuals were served with notices of suspicion. The investigation is ongoing.
Corruption at Wartime
Embezzlement of public funds during wartime is tantamount to looting — profiting from the suffering of those affected by war. NABU and SAPO are making every effort to dismantle disgraceful corruption schemes both in the national recovery and defense sectors.
At the beginning of the year, an organized group was exposed for embezzling over UAH 129 million allocated for the restoration of critical infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The case involves a water supply system in the Kamianske district, which was to be reconstructed by a company controlled by a local businessman. The company unlawfully won the tender, while its owner is wanted by the FBI for property-related crimes. The cost of works and materials was inflated by over UAH 129 million, which the perpetrators misappropriated and used at their discretion. The investigation is ongoing.
Another organized group was exposed for causing losses of nearly UAH 60 million to the National Energy Company “Ukrenergo.” According to the investigation, in 2022, a deputy of the Kharkiv Regional Council (who was formerly Deputy Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration) and two accomplices purchased three companies that received electricity from Ukraine’s United Energy System and transferred it to a related company for sale to end consumers. Financial responsibility was left on intermediary companies, which never settled payments with Ukrenergo. To cover their tracks, the proceeds from electricity sales were transferred to financial companies under the guise of loan repayments and then funneled to other affiliated companies, eventually ending up in the account of a non-resident company registered in Bulgaria. Three individuals were served with suspicion notices; the investigation has been completed.
Meanwhile, the probe into the embezzlement of funds for transformer equipment for JSC “Kharkivoblenergo” is still ongoing. In June, NABU and SAPO identified the organizer of the scheme. According to the investigation, he took control of procurement at Kharkivoblenergo and planned to embezzle over UAH 132 million. The company director, also a suspect in the case, agreed to follow his instructions to sign contracts with affiliated firms at prices inflated up to fivefold. NABU and SAPO served the scheme’s organizer with a notice of suspicion as he attempted to leave Ukraine. A year earlier, seven other participants had already been notified of suspicion.
Another scheme, exposed by NABU and SAPO in the Odesa region, also involved illegal attempts to leave the country. An organized criminal group fabricated court rulings declaring that a father was the sole caregiver of a child — a reason that allowed military-aged men to leave Ukraine legally. The group operated from within the judiciary and maintained a “back office” at a law firm for cover. They charged USD 3,500 for each ruling. The perpetrators were so confident in their impunity that they even advertised their “services” on social media. In total, investigators identified 1,040 suspicious court decisions. Eleven participants in the scheme were served with suspicion notices.
Defense Sector
Uncovering corruption in the defense sector is one of the key priorities for NABU and SAPO, as such schemes not only cause substantial financial losses to the state but also undermine the country's defense capability amid full-scale war.
One of the most high-profile cases became known as the “Defense Ministry Egg Case,” which sparked public outrage due to eggs being procured at UAH 17 apiece. However, the inflated pricing involved more than just eggs. According to the investigation, food supplies for the military were purchased in bundles — this allowed suppliers to raise prices on essential items (vegetables, grains) while underpricing less common ones (spices, berries). Through this scheme, supplier companies unlawfully gained excess profits amounting to over UAH 733 million. After the media exposed the scheme, prices for the 11 most demanded products were reduced, saving the state UAH 788 million. Following NABU and SAPO’s recommendations, the Ministry changed its procurement procedures. The investigation is ongoing.
Another high-profile case involves the embezzlement of funds allocated for the automated command system “DZVIN” of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Detectives discovered that the Ministry of Defense had signed a contract for system development with a company lacking relevant experience. During implementation, the cost of the project multiplied several times, yet the final product still failed to meet the required standards. Despite obvious flaws, the system was officially accepted into service, and instead of addressing the issues, there were plans to allocate additional funds. Due to these abuses, the state suffered losses of UAH 246 million. Earlier this year, four individuals involved in the scheme were served with notices of suspicion.
The Ministry of Defense also sustained major losses during the procurement of tires for military aviation. According to the investigation, an assistant to a sitting MP, along with accomplices, facilitated the success of a private company in tenders. The company’s owner, using a controlled EU-based firm, purchased tires directly from manufacturers and sold them to the military at 2–3 times the original price. As a result, the Logistics Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine overpaid UAH 27.3 million. NABU and SAPO have issued notices of suspicion to those involved.
Another corruption case was uncovered in Ukroboronprom. Between 2011 and 2016, the head of one of the state-owned special exporters — part of the Ukroboronprom conglomerate — illegally transferred funds to foreign companies under the guise of “agency fees” for arms sales. As a result, at least EUR 13 million ended up in his personal accounts and was spent on real estate in France. In total, NABU and SAPO accuse the former official of embezzling and laundering over USD 23 million. His foreign assets have been seized by the court, and extradition proceedings are underway.
“Agency agreements” also led to further losses for Ukroboronprom. A state enterprise that exported military products paid UAH 146 million for fictitious services. As NABU and SAPO established, all actual work had been performed by the enterprise's employees. The money was transferred to two foreign companies, laundered, and distributed among members of the criminal group. Among the suspects are former state enterprise officials and the beneficial owner of private companies.
Undeclared Assets, Illicit Enrichment, and Money Laundering
Undeclared assets of high-ranking Ukrainian officials are a recurring reason for the start of criminal proceedings. Anti-corruption authorities thoroughly investigate each case and refer the collected evidence to court.
A new suspicion of asset concealment was reported against the Head of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine. It concerned the 2024 asset declaration, in which the official failed to disclose real estate and a vehicle registered to the relatives of his wife. She was also served with a notice of suspicion — for aiding in her husband's illicit enrichment.
The Head of the State Customs Service of Ukraine was also caught failing to declare assets worth over USD 100,000. According to the investigation, between 2021 and 2023, he “forgot” to include in his declaration a 236.8 sq.m. house near Kyiv and a land plot. Both were registered to his father-in-law, but in fact used by the official and his family. The case has been referred to court.
The former head of the Ternopil Regional Council also faced trial after being exposed in February for concealing assets worth over UAH 2 million. In his 2022–2023 declarations, he failed to disclose his mother's apartment, which he and his family used, as well as other assets. This year, the ex-official was also convicted in another case — for receiving a bribe of UAH 600,000 — and sentenced to 9 years in prison.
A Member of Parliament was exposed for a failure to declare a house and two land plots. The estate was purchased by her husband, with funds — UAH 20 million — loaned to him by the MP herself. Moreover, the money was of unknown origin, which had earlier led to a notice of suspicion from NABU and SAPO for illicit enrichment. Both were found guilty based on plea agreements and were ordered to pay a fine, transfer UAH 20 million to the state budget, and contribute UAH 2 million to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Corruption at Ukrzaliznytsia
NABU and SAPO continue to expose large-scale embezzlement schemes within Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways).
In June, five persons were served with notices of suspicion for embezzling company funds. According to the investigation, the scheme’s organizer used loyal employees within an Ukrzaliznytsia branch to ensure that favored companies won procurement tenders for paint and linoleum. Subsequently, the beneficial owners and representatives of these companies, in collusion with the organizer, facilitated the signing of overpriced supply contracts with Ukrzaliznytsia. As a result, between 2022 and 2023, the company suffered losses exceeding UAH 15 million, which the perpetrators misappropriated and used at their discretion. The investigation is ongoing.
Another suspicion notice was served to a sitting Member of Parliament. According to NABU and SAPO, he co-organized a group that embezzled UAH 140 million during the procurement of cable and wiring products for Ukrzaliznytsia. Together with an accomplice — a private entrepreneur — the MP conspired with members of another organized group that operated as a sort of “back office” for the company. In exchange for a percentage of the contract value, they ensured the entrepreneur’s affiliated companies won the tenders. These companies then sold the products at prices significantly above market rates. In total, eight individuals have been notified of suspicion in this case.
