Ukraine said on Monday it had charged six people including a lawmaker and a government official for embezzling funds in the purchase of drones and jamming equipment for the military.
Kyiv relies on a steady supply of drones and electronic warfare systems to fight Moscow's invasion and is also waging a crackdown on graft critical to its future in the European Union.
Anti-corruption authorities said on Saturday they had uncovered a scheme involving the legislator, one сurrent and one now sacked official, a National Guard commander and two businessmen, giving kickbacks for purchases at inflated prices.
"In 2024–2025, an organised criminal group systematically misappropriated funds allocated by local authorities for defence needs," the National Anti-Corruption Bureau said in a statement, adding the bribes totalled around 30 per cent of the contracts' value.
The drone contract was worth $240,000 with an inflation of about $80,000, the bureau said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who sparked a public furore last month for briefly scrapping the independence of two anti-corruption agencies, praised the move on Saturday after meeting the agency heads.
Besides the lawmaker, those charged on Monday include a former governor and regional administration chief, the head of a city military administration, the commander of a National Guard Unit, and the director and the owner of a drone manufacturer.
None of the suspects were identified. The equipment was locally manufactured.
Saudi Arabia shuts key oil pipeline after drone attack
BRICS members agree joint declaration at New Delhi summit
Death toll in Philippine ferry fire rises to 76 as rescuers recover more remains
Russian attacks kill six, injure dozens in Ukraine, Moscow says it hits ships, plants
Explosion hits another weapons site in Bulgaria
