Ukrainian President Zelensky. People’s visual data map
On January 22, a senior Ukrainian official was fired on suspicion of corruption, and after the media disclosed an allegedly inflated military procurement contract, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence launched an internal audit.
According to Agence France-Presse reported on the 22nd, Ukrainian Prime Minister Genese ShMigard said on social media on the same day that "the cabinet of the Ukrainian government ordered the dismissal of V.M. Lozinschi’s deputy minister of Ukrainian infrastructure."
On the 21st, the Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Lozinschi on suspicion of corruption. In a statement, the Anti-Corruption Bureau said that Lozinschi accepted a bribe of 400,000 US dollars to facilitate the signing of contracts for purchasing equipment and generators at inflated prices. The arrest of this senior official comes at a time when Ukraine is facing a power shortage after its energy facilities were hit.
In another corruption-related case, the Ukrainian Ministry of National Defense ordered the start of an internal audit on the 22nd, and is scheduled to hold an "emergency meeting" with Defense Minister Reznikov on the 23rd to learn about the possible false report contract of the Ministry.
Ukraine’s "Weekly Mirror" previously reported that the Ukrainian Ministry of National Defense signed a military contract with a false high price. According to the media, the price of the contract signed to provide food for Ukrainian soldiers is "two to three times higher" than the current basic food price.
On the 22nd, Ukrainian President Zelensky said in a routine night video speech that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine reflected the persistent corruption problem in Ukraine, which was intolerable, and he promised to make a key decision to eradicate corruption soon.
Ukraine has a long-standing corruption problem. After granting Ukraine candidate status last year, the EU has made anti-corruption reform a key condition for Ukraine to join the EU.