Head of NABU Semen Kryvonos stated that influential officials and politicians may stand behind major defense contracts. Combating corruption in this sector is one of the top priorities for the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. This is reported by Ukrinform, the portal PromPolitInform reports.
Crimes in the defense sector and national defense capabilities remain in the focus of anti-corruption agencies. The largest resources of NABU and SAPO are allocated to this area due to its critical importance for the state.
Ultimate beneficiaries among high-ranking officials in law enforcement agencies and parliament appear among arms suppliers. Such individuals become co-owners of enterprises, and their political influence destroys market competition in the defense sector.
Anti-corruption agencies track hundreds of transactions abroad
Investigation of such transactions requires significant effort and analysis of financial flows across various jurisdictions. Detectives document crimes and identify the actual owners of companies receiving state orders.
Corruption manifestations lead to the inefficiency of the state apparatus and hinder the organization of defense procurement and energy infrastructure protection. The forces of NABU and SAPO are limited by budget volumes, so overcoming abuses is only possible jointly with the Ministry of Defence.
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine turned to the Bureau for an analysis of corruption risks for the first time in the last six months. Head of SAPO Oleksandr Klymenko noted that the agency provided relevant materials to prevent violations.
The Ministry of Defence must take its own administrative measures
Anti-corruption agencies investigate specific criminal proceedings and expose schemes, after which the relevant ministry makes management decisions. The resources of detectives and prosecutors are insufficient to cover all possible episodes.
To reduce the level of abuses, it is necessary to use administrative levers and hold transparent tenders. This will allow attracting suppliers with high-quality and competitive products.
Illustrative photo: Artist is Lee Lawrie (1877–1963). Photographed 2007 by Carol Highsmith (1946–), who explicitly placed the photograph in the public domain. / Public domain
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