Corruption in procurement of UAVs and electronic warfare systems: investigation completed

NABU and SAPO have completed the investigation into corruption in the procurement of UAVs and electronic warfare systems. The case materials have been disclosed to the defense for review.

According to the investigation, in 2025, an organized group systematically misappropriated public funds allocated by local authorities for the needs of the Defense Forces.

The suspects are:

• a former head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration;
• an MP;
• the head of a city military administration;
• the commander of a National Guard military unit;
• the beneficial owner of a UAV manufacturing company;
• the director of the UAV manufacturing company;
• a member of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Council;
• a former member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The established episodes include:

• an MP and a former member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces received bribes amounting to up to 30% of the contract value in exchange for influencing a military unit commander to conclude contracts for FPV drone procurement;
• a military unit of the National Guard of Ukraine purchased FPV drones worth nearly UAH 10 million, with overpayment exceeding UAH 3 million. After delivery, the former head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration, an MP, the head of a city military administration, a former member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and the company’s beneficial owner and director received the overpaid funds as kickbacks;
• electronic warfare systems were purchased at inflated prices. The former head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration, an MP, the head of a city military administration, and the commander of a National Guard unit received up to 30% of the contract value;
• the procurement of FPV drones worth nearly UAH 2 million at inflated prices. A member of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Council, along with the company’s beneficial owner and director, was involved in the misappropriation of these funds;
• the company’s beneficial owner, its director, and a member of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Council facilitated fictitious employment for at least 15 draft-liable men. The cost of such services ranged from $5,000 to $12,000 per person;
• the unlawful enrichment of the former head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration by more than UAH 62 million;
• the submission of false information by the former head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration in his asset declarations for 2020–2025.