Ukraine Uncovers Another $40 Million in Weapons Procurement Fraud

The war-torn nation has announced a clean-out of its weapons procurement process amid ongoing corruption.

A Ukrainian soldier prepares mortar shells at a position along the front line in the Donetsk region on Sept. 26, 2022, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine’s National Police and Security Service on Ukraine (SBU) and the country’s Ministry of Defense announced on Jan. 27 that they have uncovered an insider network that has been charged with embezzling almost $40 million in funds marked for weapons purchases.

Five individuals who formed a suspected criminal organization have been served “notices of suspicion”—the first stage in Ukrainian legal proceedings—for “appropriation, embezzlement of property, or possession of it by abuse of official position,” the SBU said.