Ukraine employees held in a military drone corruption probe

Ukrainian MP and other employees were arrested after the country’s anti -corruption agencies revealed what they call a large -scale bribery scheme when purchasing drones and electronic war systems.

In a statement by X, President Volodimir Zelenski said that a member of Ukrai, heads of regional and urban administrations and several members of the National Guard were exhibited for their participation, which includes state contracts, with suppliers being signed at prices inflated up to 30%.

Zelenski wrote that in Ukraine there may be “zero tolerance” for corruption and thanks the agencies for their work.

The independence of Ukraine’s anti -corruption agencies was restored on Thursday after national protests.

The Zelenski government has been confronted with a broad response after the introduction of a bill that will undress the national struggle to combat corruption and the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office to combat corruption, known as Nabu and SAP, respectively, respectively their independence.

The president claims that agencies should be “released from Russian influence” and tried to give the Prosecutor General the authority to decide who would be persecuted in a high -level corruption case.

Many saw the move as a step back to corruption in Ukraine, which led to the largest anti-government demonstrations since Russia began a full invasion of the country in 2022.

Zelenski acknowledged public anger and presented a new bill, restoring the previous independence of agencies, which was voted by parliament only nine days after the receipt of the original bill.

The head of the main intelligence directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (HUR), Kirilo Budanov, thanked Zelenski for the “public hearing” regarding the powers of anti -corruption agencies and “does not make a mistake”.

This move was also praised by EU allies, who expressed concerns about the consequences of the original bill.

The fight against corruption is significant in the application of Ukraine to join the EU. The creation of NABU and SAP was a requirement set by the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund in 2014 to focus on the relaxation of visa restrictions.

As a result, Kiev received the status of an EU candidate in 2022, leading to the nation another step towards a higher relationship with the West.

Since their creation, NABU and SAP have been involved in distant investigations into illegally misappropriation of assets and bribes of millions of dollars in various ministries and sectors.

A joint investigation in 2023 led to The arrest of the head of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, Vsevolod KniazievIn connection with a bribe of $ 3 million (£ 2.4 million; € 2.9 million).