What’s Known About the NABU Raids Linked to Embezzlement in Donetsk Fortification Projects.

NABU Raids and the Corruption Investigation

According to Espreso.tv: Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has conducted searches as part of an investigation into the misappropriation of funds meant for fortification construction in the Donetsk region. This information was disclosed by Ukrainian parliament member Yaroslav Zheleznyak.

The probe focuses on contracts awarded by the Poltava Regional Military Administration (OVA) for building defensive structures in Donetsk Oblast. In September 2025, the Poltava OVA signed deals worth nearly 400 million hryvnias. According to investigative findings, at least 200 million hryvnias of that amount were never spent on actual construction work.

Actions of the Poltava OVA and Investigation Outcomes

In February 2024, the Poltava OVA was authorized to build fortifications in Donetsk Oblast and subsequently entered into 16 contracts exceeding 370 million hryvnias. By November 2025, NABU Director Semen Kryvonos announced the launch of criminal proceedings related to potential misconduct involving the Poltava OVA. At the time the contracts were signed, the Poltava OVA was led by Filip Pronin, who later became head of Ukraine’s State Financial Monitoring Service at the end of 2024.

“These NABU searches are connected to our investigation case into the theft of money for fortification construction in Donetsk region,” Yaroslav Zheleznyak stated.

As such, the investigation remains ongoing, and these raids mark a critical step in identifying possible abuses in this case.

These developments highlight the importance of anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine, particularly regarding the use of public funds for vital projects like building fortifications in the country’s east. The NABU investigation could have far-reaching implications, not only for those involved but also for public trust in state institutions responsible for executing military contracts during wartime.