Ukrainians Perceive Increased Corruption Amid Ongoing Conflict
A new survey by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) reveals that a substantial majority of Ukrainians believe corruption has worsened since the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022, reports 24brussels.
The poll, conducted between September 19 and 28 with 1,029 participants across Ukraine, found that 71% of respondents feel corruption has increased over the past three years. Only 20% reported no change, while a mere 5% believed the situation had improved. Notably, even among those who express trust in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government, 62% acknowledged a rise in corruption since the onset of the conflict.
The survey, released on Friday, illustrates a widespread perception of corruption across all regions of Ukraine, signaling a pervasive concern among the public regarding the issue. The country has been embroiled in multiple high-profile corruption scandals in recent months, implicating officials from various sectors, including defense, healthcare, and religious organizations. Some of these scandals have involved bribery schemes designed to help individuals evade military service during ongoing mobilization efforts.
Concerns surrounding corruption in defense procurement have escalated, particularly following the arrest of several senior officials in August related to a scheme involving the acquisition of electronic warfare systems. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Defense faced allegations of a significant food supply fraud, amounting to nearly $18 million, while a $40 million embezzlement scheme tied to fake arms contracts was uncovered in January 2024.
In a contentious move in July, President Zelensky sought to bring the country’s anti-corruption agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), under closer government control. This decision was quickly reversed in response to public protests and pressure from Western allies within two weeks.
The ongoing issue of corruption has drawn scrutiny on an international scale. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has raised concerns regarding the misuse of American aid, while Russian officials, including spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, have claimed that much of the Western assistance to Ukraine is being “stolen.”