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Claims are being spread online alleging that corruption in Ukraine, especially in the procurement of lethal weapons, is among the highest in Europe. These claims are attributed to Bloomberg and a new report by U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General Robert Storch. The report allegedly states that procurement deals are often accompanied by bribes and inflated prices, posing serious risks to the effectiveness of military aid to Ukraine.
However, this is false. Neither Bloomberg nor the Pentagon Inspector General’s report includes such claims. The Pentagon has acknowledged Ukraine’s progress in addressing corruption in the defense sector.
Screenshot of the post
In November, Pentagon Inspector General Robert Storch published a quarterly report summarizing the audit results of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which includes countering Russia in Ukraine and Europe. The report covered the period from July 1 to September 30, 2024. A section of the report did address anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine. The inspectors noted that corruption complicates Ukraine’s path to EU and NATO membership and could hinder post-war economic recovery and foreign investment.
However, the report emphasized Ukraine’s determination to combat corruption. The U.S. Department of Defense stated that Ukraine is strengthening independent anti-corruption institutions and implementing reforms as part of its Euro-Atlantic integration efforts. The Inspector General also highlighted Ukraine’s progress in reforms to increase transparency and accountability in defense procurement, corporate governance, human resource management, logistics, and democratic civilian control over the military.
The report does not claim that corruption in Ukraine is among the highest in Europe. This statement is also absent from the Bloomberg website. Bloomberg did not publish a news article specifically about the new Inspector General’s report. A report about the Pentagon opening over 50 criminal investigations related to aid for Ukraine was published back in February 2024. However, that report did not state that the investigations targeted Ukrainian officials or companies. Furthermore, the Inspector General’s authors stated that, despite Russian propaganda claims, there is no evidence of Ukraine misusing U.S.-provided military equipment.
Screenshot from the Pentagon Report for July 1 to September 30, 2024
In September 2024, Inspector General Robert Storch noted significant improvements in Ukraine’s reporting on weapons and emphasized the development of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions.
Russian propagandists frequently exploit the topic of corruption in defense procurement and the misuse of military aid. By spreading such narratives, they aim to undermine trust in Ukraine among its partners. Previously, we debunked claims that the Pentagon demanded a full audit of all weapons transferred to Ukraine before Trump’s potential return to office.
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