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While soldiers are losing their lives in the war against Russia, some politicians have lined their pockets. Since the start of the war in February 2022, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has been rocked by several corruption scandals. That is why Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (46) wants to be transparent and has now made his income public for the first time.
His income was repeatedly used as fuel for Russian propaganda. The data now published shows that Zelensky and his family had an income of 10.8 million hryvnia (about 245,000 francs) in 2021.
A significant decrease compared to 2020, when the income was still 12 million hryvnia (272,000 francs). In 2022, revenues fell again. In concrete terms: up to 3.7 million hryvnia (84,000 francs). This decline is partly due to lower rental income from Zelensky’s real estate investments, which fell noticeably as a result of the war.
All hiring managers fired
The Ukrainian president wants to show that he is honest. And above all: he did not enrich himself. For other politicians, however, the situation is different. Then-Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, 57, rejected allegations in August that uniforms had been purchased at high prices. Resnikov was eventually fired by President Volodymyr Zelensky in early September last year, against the backdrop of corruption allegations.
By early August, Zelenskiy had already dismissed all heads of regional offices responsible for recruitment. He criticized a system that allowed conscripts to be smuggled out of the country. In December, a senior Defense Ministry official was arrested on suspicion of corruption.
The leadership in Kiev is trying to take more consistent action against corruption and bribery in the country – also with a view to joining the EU. The conditions for accession include the fight against corruption. (jmh/AFP)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
