Ukrainian MP faces arrest and US$720,000 bail for corruption scheme in drone and EW procurement

Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities have filed charges against members of an organised crime group who were involved in a corruption scheme related to the procurement of drones and electronic warfare systems. Investigators are seeking to place a sitting Member of Parliament under arrest, with bail set at UAH 30 million (approx. US$720,000).

Source: Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO)

Quote: "With the consent of the prosecutor general, a motion has been submitted to the court seeking pre-trial detention for the suspected MP, with an alternative of bail set at UAH 30 million. Motions requesting pre-trial restraint measures for the other suspects involved in the case have also been submitted to the court."

Details: As previously reported by Ukrainska Pravda, the individuals exposed by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and SAPO include:

• Oleksii Kuznietsov, an MP from the Servant of the People party;
• Serhii Haidai, former head of the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration and current head of the Mukachevo District State Administration;
• Andrii Yurchenko, Head of the Rubizhne City Military Administration in Luhansk Oblast.
  
  

Charges have been brought against:

• Serhii Haidai;
• MP Oleksii Kuznietsov;
• Andrii Yurchenko;
• a National Guard unit commander;
• the de facto beneficial owner of a drone manufacturing company;
• the director of the drone manufacturing company.

The beneficial owner and the director of the drone company are also accused of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Investigators say they accepted bribes to hire particular individuals and secure military deferments for them, effectively blocking their mobilisation into the armed forces.

The investigation found that in 2024-2025, the organised group systematically embezzled state funds allocated by local governments for defence needs.

One confirmed incident involved the procurement of electronic warfare systems. Members of the group received up to 30% of the contract value as a bribe for signing overpriced deals. A similar scheme was used in the purchase of FPV drones worth nearly UAH 10 million (approx. US$242,000), with prices inflated by around US$80,000. The supplier delivered the drones, and part of the funds was later kicked back to members of the group.

For reference: Kuznietsov was among the MPs who voted on 22 July in favour of controversial draft law No. 12414, which included provisions that would place independent anti-corruption bodies under the control of the prosecutor general.

Background:

• On 2 August, following a briefing by National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) Director Semen Kryvonos and SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the exposure of a corruption scheme involving a sitting MP, heads of district and city administrations, and National Guard personnel.
• NABU and SAPO said the scheme involved awarding government contracts for the supply of drones and electronic warfare equipment at deliberately inflated prices.
• Davyd Arakhamiia, leader of the Servant of the People faction, has stated that MP Oleksii Kuznietsov will be suspended from Servant of the People for the duration of the investigation.

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