Ukrainian authorities have arrested a sitting member of parliament, senior regional officials, and National Guard personnel in connection with a sweeping corruption scheme involving inflated military procurement contracts, including for drones and electronic warfare systems.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the arrests via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that those involved had raised state contract prices by as much as 30%. “There can be zero tolerance for corruption in Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote, praising the country’s anti-corruption agencies for uncovering the fraud.

The arrests come amid mounting international scrutiny over Ukraine’s handling of defense funds, especially as it continues to receive substantial foreign aid while defending against Russia’s invasion.

Authorities say the network manipulated public procurement systems to funnel large sums through overinflated contracts. Among those detained are a member of parliament whose name has not been disclosed, city and district administrators, and members of the National Guard.

This crackdown follows public uproar over recent efforts by Zelensky’s administration to limit the independence of Ukraine’s top anti-corruption institutions — the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP). A controversial law passed earlier attempted to transfer some of their powers to the Prosecutor General, prompting protests and vocal criticism from Ukraine’s Western partners.

In response, Zelensky swiftly reversed course, introducing a new bill that restored full autonomy to NABU and SAP. The measure was approved just nine days after the initial legislation had been enacted.

Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), publicly thanked Zelensky for “hearing the public’s call” and averting what he called a serious mistake.

The episode underscores the central role of institutional integrity in Ukraine’s bid for European Union membership. The establishment of NABU and SAP in 2014 was a key demand from the EU and the International Monetary Fund as part of Ukraine’s broader reform commitments.

Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in 2022, but its accession depends on demonstrated progress in judicial reform and anti-corruption efforts.

NABU and SAP have led several high-profile investigations into state corruption. In one notable case last year, they arrested Supreme Court Chief Justice Vsevolod Kniaziev on allegations of accepting a $3 million bribe.