Ukrainian authorities have made four major arrests in a corruption investigation into drone supply contracts, which were allegedly signed at unjustifiably inflated prices, causing significant damage to the country’s public finances. According to an official announcement by Ukrainian authorities yesterday, among those arrested is MP Oleksii Kuznetsov, a member of parliament from the ruling Servant of the People party, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky. In response to this development, the party announced the temporary suspension of Kuznetsov’s membership, directly linking him to the investigation in question. The revelation of this scandal comes just days after President Zelensky’s decision to change his position on a controversial draft law related to the independence of the country’s anti-corruption office – a sensitive issue with a major impact on public opinion and international support for Kiev. The charges brought by anti-corruption organizations and activists also include several municipal civil servants and members of the National Guard of Ukraine. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that several security forces officers involved in the contract case have also been suspended from duty as part of disciplinary measures and further administrative investigations.
The investigation is ongoing and authorities have warned that there may be more arrests in the coming days.
