Artem Sytnyk

The interview was recorded in Artem Sytnyk's last working week as the war went on and NABU operated under the martial law. The detectives have focused not only on anti-corruption work but also on joint activities with other agencies fighting against the russian occupiers. In this interview, Artem Sytnyk dwells on his seven years as NABU Director, the challenges and establishment of the Bureau, the implementation of anti-corruption reform and the vision of NABU development.

"After the victory over the Russian occupier, Ukraine will face no less difficult challenge - the fight against corruption," says NABU Director Artem Sytnyk. "There are still many battles ahead. NABU is ready for them."

A successful anti-corruption process involves a two-sided approach: public authorities must perform their duties conscientiously, and society must be transparent and fair.

Compliance with the requirements of anti-corruption legislation is mandatory for every official, regardless of position or political connections. This was emphasized by the NABU Director Artem Sytnyk at the panel discussion “Protecting the economy from the influence of organized crime” in the framework of the V Kharkiv International Legal Forum, held on September 20, 2021.

In six years, the National Bureau has sent 944 requests for international legal assistance to more than 75 countries. This indicates not only the spread of Ukrainian corruption in the world but also shows that without international cooperation the fight against corruption is impossible. 

The resistance to anti-corruption institutions in Ukraine is gaining momentum. This was emphasized by the Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau Artem Sytnyk during the online discussion "Anti-Corruption and Judicial Reform: Progress Assessment and Current Challenges" that took place May 27, 2021.

"The G7 is still highly interested in the fight against corruption in Ukraine. We closely monitor the latest developments around the National Bureau and other anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine," said Melinda Simmons, the British Ambassador to Ukraine, during a visit to the National Bureau. It should be noted that the UK currently holds the G7 Precedency.

"For almost 6 years of our work, we have tracked down Ukrainian corruption in about 80 countries. These are the countries where participants in NABU cases, namely high-ranking officials, took the funds stolen in Ukraine and later legalized them. It is difficult to name the amount that has been siphoned off from Ukraine through corruption schemes. We can assume we are talking about billions," said Artem Sytnyk, Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, during the III International Criminal Law Forum.