The Head of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office Stated That High-Level Corruption Is on the Rise in Ukraine
The level of corruption in Ukraine is not decreasing, and corruption among top officials is even on the rise, according to Oleksandr Klymenko, head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). He stated that the fight against bribery is hampered, in particular, by a lack of political will and a number of problems in the anti-corruption system.
Oleksandr Klymenko, head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, stated that the corruption situation in Ukraine is not improving. According to Klymenko, the overall level of corruption remains roughly the same. At the same time, he assessed that the situation with corruption among top officials is getting even worse. “Corruption in Ukraine is not decreasing. It remains at the same level. Or, when it comes to high-level corruption, it is even on the rise,” said the head of the SAPO.
In his view, one of the main problems is the lack of sufficient political will to fight corruption. “The state is demonstrating that it lacks the political will to combat this corruption properly,” said Klymenko.
What Is Holding Back Anti-Corruption Agencies
The head of the SAP also cited several issues that, according to him, remain unresolved. In particular, he referred to an expert body, the status of which remains unclear. Klymenko also mentioned the so-called “Lozovoy amendments.” According to him, these provisions could allow individuals implicated in corruption cases to evade accountability. This refers to cases where criminal proceedings are closed on formal procedural grounds.
Separately, the head of the SAP drew attention to the limitations on the prosecutor’s office’s powers in cases involving members of parliament. Currently, the SAP cannot independently initiate an investigation into a member of parliament. Furthermore, the prosecutor’s office is unable to independently approve certain investigative and covert investigative actions concerning members of parliament.
Klymenko believes that anti-corruption agencies should not be dependent on the decisions of officials who are not part of the anti-corruption system. “Therefore, we should not be subject to the will of another official who has absolutely no connection to the anti-corruption structure,” emphasized the head of the SAPO. According to him, resolving these issues is necessary so that anti-corruption agencies can conduct investigations fully and effectively.
Corruption Schemes Extend Beyond Ukraine’s Borders
Another problem is that corruption cases are increasingly involving more than just Ukraine. Klymenko explained that the money and participants in these schemes may be linked to several countries at once. Because of this, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have to work with foreign counterparts and obtain evidence abroad.
That is precisely why, according to the head of the SAP, Ukraine needs joint investigative teams with other countries. He cited the “Midas” case as an example. According to Klymenko, a large number of different jurisdictions are involved in the money-laundering scheme. “We need to establish international investigative teams with other jurisdictions in order to obtain evidence as quickly and efficiently as possible in this specific criminal proceeding and to exchange information with prosecutors from other jurisdictions,” Klymenko explained.
He also drew attention to the problem of extraditing suspects who may be outside Ukraine. According to the head of the SAP, these issues have remained unresolved for a long time. He believes they need to be discussed openly, as the fight against corruption remains more difficult without resolving them.
Reform of “Energoatom” Following a Corruption Scandal
Klymenko’s statement came amid a massive corruption scandal involving “Energoatom.” In July 2026, plans for the company’s reform were announced following widespread media coverage of the case and allegations of corruption.
Against this backdrop, the issue of combating high-level corruption has once again become one of the most discussed topics. The head of the SAP emphasizes that investigating individual cases alone is not enough to bring about real change.
According to him, it is also necessary to eliminate the obstacles that hinder the work of anti-corruption agencies and ensure the ability to effectively investigate cases regardless of the status of those involved. He made these remarks during a briefing, according to Oleksandr Klymenko, head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
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