China News Service, February 3 (Xinhua) Comprehensive foreign media reports, on the 1st local time, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies expanded their crackdown on corruption and searched the residences of many current and former senior officials and wealthy businessmen.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the searches were necessary to ensure "people do not abuse their power".
According to analysis, Ukraine's vigorous anti-corruption efforts at this time are aimed at creating an image of positive reform in front of the EU in order to join the EU and obtain more Western aid.
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies searched the house of ex-Interior Minister Avakov.
The picture shows a screenshot of the Reuters report
——Former Minister of Internal Affairs Avakov
The search included Arsen Avakov, 59, a former interior minister.
Avakov resigned as Ukrainian Minister of the Interior in July 2021.
Reuters stated that before resigning, he was considered one of the most powerful officials in the country and had served in this position for more than seven years.
Avakov told Ukrainian media that the search of his home was related to an investigation into the purchase of Ukrainian Airbus helicopters.
On January 18, 2023, an Airbus helicopter crashed in Ukraine, killing many people including the then Minister of the Interior Monasters.
Avakov said investigators reviewed the Interior Ministry's contract with Airbus, which makes the H-225 Super Puma helicopter that was used to transport officials during the fatal crash.
Nothing was found, and all contracts at the time were approved, Avakov said.
On February 1, the Ukrainian State Security Service (SBU) and others raided Kolomoisky's residence in Dnipro.
Image source: Screenshot of the Kyiv Independent
——Wealthy businessman Kolomoiski
Ihor Kolomoisky, a wealthy businessman involved in Ukrainian media, oil and banking industries, is also under investigation.
According to the BBC, the "Servant of the People" starring Zelensky was once broadcast on a media channel related to Kolomoisky.
The latter also served as the governor of Dnepropetrovsk, but was sanctioned by the United States for alleged corruption.
"Kyiv Independent" quoted sources as saying that on the morning of February 1, the Ukrainian National Security Agency (SBU) and others raided Kolomoisky's residence in Dnipro.
The wealthy businessman is accused of evading customs supervision and embezzling $1 billion worth of petroleum products.
——The Ministry of Defense is involved in a material procurement scandal
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have also issued notices to multiple officials of the Ministry of Defense that they will be investigated for alleged material procurement scandals.
Earlier, some Ukrainian media broke the news that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense purchased supplies for soldiers at "exorbitant prices", which indicates that there may be corruption problems.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov said the high price was a "technical error" by the contractor.
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Shapovalov resigned on January 24.
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Service (NABU) said it had opened an investigation into possible corruption in the defense ministry.
Why Ukraine has been taking anti-corruption actions recently?
According to BBC analysis, Ukraine is facing increasing pressure from Western partners, especially the European Union, in fighting corruption.
Kyiv is scheduled to hold a summit with key EU officials this week, which Ukraine believes is extremely important to promote its accession to the EU.
About ten senior Ukrainian officials have been dismissed a few days ago, including Tymoshenko, deputy director of the Ukrainian President's Office.
Doing so would contribute to "reconciliation with European institutions," Zelensky said at the time.
Agence France-Presse also pointed out that Ukraine is launching new efforts to try to "clean up" its own image in order to appease Western supporters.