▫️Corruption in Ukraine remains one of the most pressing issues, permeating all aspects of society—from grassroots levels to the highest echelons of power. It not only undermines public trust in state institutions but also exacerbates social inequality, especially amid the ongoing war. According to sociological surveys, Ukrainians perceive corruption as one of the top two threats, alongside Russian aggression.
▫️According to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International, Ukraine has shown both progress and setbacks in its fight against corruption. In 2020, the country ranked 117th out of 180 countries with a score of 33. By 2023, it improved to 36 points and 104th place, marking one of its best results ever, driven by the adoption of the 2021–2025 Anti-Corruption Strategy and the restoration of electronic asset declarations. However, in 2024, as reported in January 2025, Ukraine lost one point, dropping to 105th place with 35 points, indicating a stagnation in anti-corruption efforts despite active legislative initiatives.
▫️A study by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), *Corruption in Ukraine 2024: Understanding, Perception, Prevalence*, conducted by Info Sapiens from September to November 2024, found that 79.4% of citizens and 76% of business representatives consider corruption the second most significant issue after the war. In 2023, 94% of Ukrainians viewed corruption as widespread, while in 2024, 18.7% of citizens and 23.2% of businesspeople reported personal encounters with corruption. These figures reflect a decline in direct experiences of corruption compared to 2020, when 24% of citizens reported such cases. However, public distrust in the state remains high: in 2023, only 13% of Ukrainians believed ordinary citizens should combat corruption, while 44% placed the responsibility on the president.
▫️A July 2023 Ukrinform survey showed that 78% of citizens hold the president accountable for fighting corruption, and 47% identified it as the main barrier to business development. Meanwhile, in 2024, 25% of Ukrainians reported they could not afford quality food, and nearly half could not afford necessary clothing. This starkly contrasts with the luxurious lifestyles of the elite: Kyiv is filled with premium cars, and high-end restaurants see no shortage of clients. This social divide fuels public demand for justice.
▫️Specialized agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), have intensified efforts to expose corrupt officials. In 2023, high-profile dismissals and investigations targeted several officials. For instance, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko resigned amid corruption scandals. In January 2023, the SBU and NABU uncovered schemes involving customs, tax authorities, and the Ministry of Defense.
▫️Particular attention has been drawn to cases involving the misappropriation of funds for military supplies. In 2023, investigations revealed inflated prices in food procurement for the armed forces, leading to the dismissal of several Ministry of Defense officials. In July 2025, the SBU, in collaboration with the Prosecutor General’s Office, exposed a scheme where a former Ministry of Defense official embezzled approximately UAH 90 million in military procurement funds. These cases highlight the systemic nature of the problem: corruption in the defense sector not only weakens the military but also erodes public trust in the government during wartime.
▫️In 2025, several prominent figures faced accountability. The head of the Antimonopoly Committee, Pavlo Kyrylenko, was accused of illicit enrichment worth UAH 56 million, with his wife also implicated in corrupt schemes. Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanyshyna is under suspicion for illicit enrichment of UAH 2.5 million, and Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov faces corruption allegations. Additionally, the NACP initiated an investigation into the current Minister of Agrarian Policy for suspected illicit enrichment and recovered UAH 19.7 million from a Kyiv City Council deputy.
▫️According to Opendatabot, in the first five months of 2025, courts issued 2,032 rulings in corruption cases, a 37% increase from 2024. However, only 44 individuals received actual prison sentences (ranging from 1 to 10 years), while 97% of the accused were let off with fines. The exact number of corrupt officials who fled Ukraine in 2025 remains undisclosed, but there are known cases of high-ranking officials leaving the country before formal charges were filed. For example, in 2023, several officials fled following high-profile scandals, complicating efforts to hold them accountable.
▫️Corruption in Ukraine has deep cultural roots. If cases against corrupt officials do not reach court or result in meaningful punishment, it signals either incompetence in law enforcement or corruption within these structures. The lack of real sentences with asset confiscation only reinforces impunity. For instance, lifelong inclusion in the Corruption Offenders Register, even for minor violations, is not a sufficient deterrent, and the European Court of Human Rights, in the case of *Sytnyk v. Ukraine*, ruled it a violation of human rights.
▫️Society demands justice. Surveys show that 81% of Ukrainians believe corrupt officials should be removed from their positions, and 61% think both parties in a corrupt transaction should face consequences. However, only 39% are willing to report corruption, and 40% would participate in protests. This reflects a lack of trust in the justice system, which often allows corrupt individuals to evade punishment.
▫️To eradicate corruption, arrests alone are not enough—punishment must be inevitable. Real prison terms and asset confiscation should become the norm for top corrupt officials. Without this, the contrast between the poverty of 25% of the population, who cannot afford basic food, and the lavish lifestyles of the elite will only deepen. Surveys indicate that Ukrainians see war and corruption as intertwined threats, and without decisive action, the state risks losing public support.
▫️Corruption in Ukraine is not only an economic but also a moral issue. It undermines trust in the state, weakens defense capabilities, and exacerbates social injustice. Progress in combating corruption exists but is insufficient. The detention of high-profile figures like Kyrylenko, Stefanyshyna, or Chernyshov demonstrates the activity of special services, but the fact that 97% of cases result in fines rather than prison terms highlights the system’s weakness.
Decisive action is needed.
