At the beginning of 2023, another high-profile discussion stirred up Ukraine, this time around possible corruption in the Ministry of Defense. One side appealed to arguments like “don’t rock the boat”, especially in conditions when the level of journalistic investigations, from their point of view, in Ukraine is far from always objective and impartial.
The other side focused on zero tolerance for the slightest lack of transparency in the field of defense procurement and the need for immediate personnel decisions, since in their understanding such possible corruption poses significant threats to the state and defenders.
In February 2023, the Kiev International Institute of Sociology asked respondents about their attitudes towards investigations of possible corruption in the Ministry of Defense: should these be immediate personnel decisions against the backdrop of acute importance during the war, or should these be thorough, albeit possibly longer, investigations in order to not provoke instability in the ministry and not harm the defense.
As you can see, this issue has polarized Ukrainians: 46% believe that it is better to investigate more thoroughly and longer, while at the same time, as many (47%) of respondents believe that there should be immediate decisions on the slightest suspicion of corruption.
There is a discussion in society about the Ministry of Defense. Some people believe that everyone should be immediately removed from office and held accountable for the slightest suspicion of corruption, because this is especially important in times of war.
Others believe that this will provoke instability within the Ministry of Defense and will have a negative impact on the country’s defense capability and the receipt of weapons from the West, so it is better to investigate such suspicions more thoroughly, albeit longer.
In all regions of Ukraine, the opinions of the population were divided almost equally.
At the same time, the KIIS noted that the position on the high-profile case around the Ministry of Defense is not associated with “Isradophile” or “depressive” moods. Among those who demand quick solutions and among those who want a more thorough investigation, the absolute majority is against making concessions to the aggressor.
KIIS conducted a survey on February 14-22 by telephone interviews using a computer based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers. 2002 respondents living in all regions of Ukraine (except for the occupied ones) were polled. The survey was conducted with adult (aged 18 years and over) citizens of Ukraine who at the time of the survey were living in the territory of Ukraine, which was controlled by the government until February 24, 2022. The survey was not conducted with citizens who went abroad after February 24, 2022.
Recall that earlier journalists published data on the purchase of products for representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It turned out that the Ministry of Defense buys products at prices two or three times higher than in Kyiv supermarkets. For example, the Ministry of Defense buys eggs for 17 UAH each, although the retail price in a Kyiv store is 7 UAH. The same story with vegetables, meat and other products.
In response to the accusations of journalists, the department stated that the organization of high-quality and uninterrupted food for military personnel, including in the war zone, was and remains a priority of the Ministry of Defense. Information about the content of the procurement of food services, distributed in the public space, is distributed with signs of deliberate manipulation and is misleading, the Ministry of Defense emphasized.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.