Ukraine Uncovers $40 Million Corruption Scheme in Weapons Procurement

Ukraine's Security Service uncovered a $40 million corruption scheme in the procurement of weapons for the country's military, involving the purchase of 100,000 mortar rounds that were never received. Former and current high-ranking defense officials, as well as the head and chief commercial of the arms supplier, were implicated in the fraud. The investigation has led to indictments and one detention, with potential consequences for Ukraine's efforts to resist Russia's invasion and pursue European Union membership, which requires combating corruption. This is not the first corruption scandal involving Ukraine's defense ministry, and the country's president has faced pressure from the United States to address government corruption.