Poltava Lawmaker Demanded 10% Kickbacks on Utility Contracts, Amassing 7.7 Million UAH.

Anti-Corruption Agencies Uncover Major Bribery Scheme in Ukraine

According to Novyny.live: Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) have exposed a large-scale extortion operation in Poltava. A local deputy allegedly collected 7.7 million Ukrainian hryvnias in bribes by demanding a 10% cut from the value of municipal contracts. This investigation revealed a corrupt scheme that ran from April 2024 through January 2026, during which the politician took kickbacks from contractors in exchange for road repair deals.

The suspect, now facing charges for accepting illicit benefits on an especially large scale, is currently under a preventive measure of either pretrial detention or a 33 million UAH bail. To facilitate the bribe payments, a currency exchange point was used, adding complexity to the probe. The deputy's actions have been classified under Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Businessmen Also Charged; State Losses Mount

Additionally, two businessmen have been notified of suspicion under Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Estimates indicate that state losses from this corruption scheme in the defense-industrial sector have exceeded 350 million UAH. The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement continuing to clarify all circumstances of the case.

This exposure underscores the severity of bribery issues within Ukraine's public sector.

Such crimes inflict significant damage on state finances and erode public trust in government institutions. The continuation of this investigation and the prosecution of those responsible could mark a crucial step in the country's fight against corruption.