<p>Ukraine has detained a senior official from the Defence Ministry over allegations that he embezzled $40 million regarding an artillery shells contract.</p>

<p>The country’s intelligence agency, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said that the illegal act took place in December last year, when the official awarded the contract to a special export company to purchase artillery shells.</p>

<p>"As a result of complex measures in Kyiv the head of one of the Main Departments of the Ministry of Defense involved in the [procurement of] equipment was detained," the SBU said on Facebook.</p>

<p>The official was immediately removed from his position and arrested, while legal proceedings were also launched. He faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.</p>

<h2><strong>Details about the alleged embezzlement</strong></h2>

<p>According to the SBU, an original artillery contract was signed in December, but it was replaced by a more favourable contract signed with the same manufacturer. The second contract eliminated intermediaries and reduced the delivery time as well as the procurement cost.</p>

<p>However, the said defence official extended the original, less favourable contract, while funds estimated at $40 million were transferred to the accounts of an affiliated foreign intermediary firm.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine war: Fatigue builds among Kyiv allies | Latest News</strong></p>

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<p>The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said it was trying to recover the funds by terminating the contract altogether as no delivery has been made yet.</p>

<h2><strong>USA’s concerns over corruption in Ukraine</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier in October, the US, the prime financer of Ukraine’s war machinery, had expressed concerns over governmental corruption in the war-ravaged nation.</p>

<p>Officials indicated that certain kinds of US aid would be linked to Ukraine’s eagerness to implement institutional reforms, aiming at eradicating corruption.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-open-to-ceasefire-negotiations-with-ukraine-report-673072"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Vladimir Putin open to ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine: Report</strong></a></p>

<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to the US earlier this month and tried to address those concerns.</p>

<p>Ukraine, which is also hopeful of joining the European Union, has also faced pressure from the bloc regarding its corruption problem.</p>

<p>According to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, Ukraine ranks 116th among 180 countries.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Ukraine has detained a senior official from the Defence Ministry over allegations that he embezzled $40 million regarding an artillery shells contract. The country’s intelligence agency, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said that the illegal act took place in December last year, when the official awarded the contract to a special export company to purchase artillery shells.

Ukraine has detained a senior official from the Defence Ministry over allegations that he embezzled $40 million regarding an artillery shells contract. The country’s intelligence agency, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said that the illegal act took place in December last year, when the official awarded the contract to a special export company to purchase artillery shells. "As a result of complex measures in Kyiv the head of one of the Main Departments of the Ministry of Defense involved in the [procurement of] equipment was detained," the SBU said on Facebook. The official was immediately removed from his position and arrested, while legal proceedings were also launched. He faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. Details about the alleged embezzlement According to the SBU, an original artillery contract was signed in December, but it was replaced by a more favourable contract signed with the same manufacturer. The second contract eliminated intermediaries and reduced the delivery time as well as the procurement cost. However, the said defence official extended the original, less favourable contract, while funds estimated at $40 million were transferred to the accounts of an affiliated foreign intermediary firm. Watch: Russia-Ukraine war: Fatigue builds among Kyiv allies | Latest News × The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said it was trying to recover the funds by terminating the contract altogether as no delivery has been made yet. USA’s concerns over corruption in Ukraine Earlier in October, the US, the prime financer of Ukraine’s war machinery, had expressed concerns over governmental corruption in the war-ravaged nation. Officials indicated that certain kinds of US aid would be linked to Ukraine’s eagerness to implement institutional reforms, aiming at eradicating corruption. Also read: Vladimir Putin open to ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine: Report Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to the US earlier this month and tried to address those concerns. Ukraine, which is also hopeful of joining the European Union, has also faced pressure from the bloc regarding its corruption problem. According to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, Ukraine ranks 116th among 180 countries. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine detains top defence official amidst allegations of $40mn fraud

<p>Five regional governors and four deputy ministers have been dismissed in Ukraine over the corruption scandal that propped up over the weekend, an official said.</p>

<p>They include the heads of the central Dnipropetrovsk region, the northeastern Sumy region, the southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, as well as the region surrounding the capital Kyiv, according to Oleg Nemchinov, a senior government official.</p>

<p>Earlier, the deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, also announced that he had tendered his resignation and asked President Volodymyr Zelensky to relieve him of his duties.</p>

<p>"I thank the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the trust and the opportunity to do good deeds every day and every minute," Tymoshenko wrote on the Telegram messaging app.</p>

<p>While Tymoshenko didn't give an official reason for the resignation, Ukrainian media reported that his ouster might be part of the personnel shake-up Zelensky announced.</p>

<p>A decree accepting Tymoshenko's resignation was published on the president's website.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-vows-action-against-corruption-in-ukraine-what-we-know-so-far-555090">Zelensky vows action against corruption in Ukraine: What we know so far</a></p>

<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;Deputy Defence Minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov also summoned a letter of resignation Tuesday following a procurement scandal.</p>

<p>Over the weekend, a corruption scandal emerged in Kyiv amid its ongoing conflict with Russia, leading to sacking of a senior government official from Zelensky’s administration on Sunday.</p>

<p>Zelensky said Monday that he will take up the issue this week and key decisions will be taken to uproot the problem. More changes are expected this week in the government, the regions and in the security forces.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There are already personnel decisions - some today, some tomorrow - regarding officials of various levels in ministries and other central government structures, as well as in the regions and in the law enforcement system," Zelensky said.</p>

<p>Thirty-three-year-old Tymoshenko had held the post of deputy head of presidential office since 2019, overseeing regions and regional policies. During Zelensky's election campaign, he oversaw media and creative content.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, Zelensky, during one of his addresses, had confirmed that he had accepted the resignation of a deputy minister but did not mention who he was or what he was accused of.</p>

<p>Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal had earlier announced the dismissal of the Deputy Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure, Vasyl Lozynkiy, as per AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Ukrainian media, Tymoshenko has been embroiled in several scandals related to his personal use of expensive cars ever since the start of the Russian invasion. He, however, has denied all allegations.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Five regional governors and four deputy ministers have been dismissed in Ukraine over the corruption scandal that propped up over the weekend, an official said. They include the heads of the central Dnipropetrovsk region, the northeastern Sumy region, the southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, as well as the region surrounding the capital Kyiv, according to Oleg Nemchinov, a senior government official.

Five regional governors and four deputy ministers have been dismissed in Ukraine over the corruption scandal that propped up over the weekend, an official said. They include the heads of the central Dnipropetrovsk region, the northeastern Sumy region, the southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, as well as the region surrounding the capital Kyiv, according to Oleg Nemchinov, a senior government official. Earlier, the deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, also announced that he had tendered his resignation and asked President Volodymyr Zelensky to relieve him of his duties. "I thank the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the trust and the opportunity to do good deeds every day and every minute," Tymoshenko wrote on the Telegram messaging app. While Tymoshenko didn't give an official reason for the resignation, Ukrainian media reported that his ouster might be part of the personnel shake-up Zelensky announced. A decree accepting Tymoshenko's resignation was published on the president's website. Also Read | Zelensky vows action against corruption in Ukraine: What we know so far Meanwhile, Deputy Defence Minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov also summoned a letter of resignation Tuesday following a procurement scandal. Over the weekend, a corruption scandal emerged in Kyiv amid its ongoing conflict with Russia, leading to sacking of a senior government official from Zelensky’s administration on Sunday. Zelensky said Monday that he will take up the issue this week and key decisions will be taken to uproot the problem. More changes are expected this week in the government, the regions and in the security forces. "There are already personnel decisions - some today, some tomorrow - regarding officials of various levels in ministries and other central government structures, as well as in the regions and in the law enforcement system," Zelensky said. Thirty-three-year-old Tymoshenko had held the post of deputy head of presidential office since 2019, overseeing regions and regional policies. During Zelensky's election campaign, he oversaw media and creative content. × Notably, Zelensky, during one of his addresses, had confirmed that he had accepted the resignation of a deputy minister but did not mention who he was or what he was accused of. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal had earlier announced the dismissal of the Deputy Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure, Vasyl Lozynkiy, as per AFP. According to Ukrainian media, Tymoshenko has been embroiled in several scandals related to his personal use of expensive cars ever since the start of the Russian invasion. He, however, has denied all allegations. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Five regional governors, four deputy ministers dismissed over corruption scandal in Ukraine

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Ukraine detains top defence official amidst allegations of $40mn fraud

Five regional governors, four deputy ministers dismissed over corruption scandal in Ukraine