The Ukrainian government has announced that it has uncovered a massive corruption scheme involving the procurement of weapons and military equipment worth more than USD 40 million. The scheme allegedly involved officials from the Ministry of Defense, the State Security Service, and several private companies.
According to a statement released by the Prosecutor General’s Office, the suspects are accused of inflating the prices of contracts, falsifying documents, and embezzling funds. The investigation was launched in 2023 after an audit revealed irregularities in the spending of the defense budget.
The Prosecutor General’s Office said that it has seized assets and bank accounts belonging to the suspects, and that it will seek their arrest and prosecution. The office also said that it will cooperate with international partners to recover the stolen money and ensure transparency and accountability in the defense sector.
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The corruption scandal is a major blow to Ukraine’s efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance its security amid the ongoing conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the eastern regions. Ukraine has received significant military assistance from the United States and other NATO allies but has also faced criticism for its lack of reforms and anti-corruption measures.
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has vowed to fight corruption and improve governance since he took office in 2019. However, he has faced resistance from some political factions and vested interests, as well as challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis. Zelensky has also been under pressure from his Western supporters to implement the Minsk agreements, which aim to end the war in Donbas and restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Monaco royals rocked by new claims over offshore assets
The royal family of Monaco is facing fresh allegations of hiding their wealth in offshore accounts, according to a new investigation by a consortium of journalists. The investigation, based on leaked documents from a law firm that specializes in offshore services, claims that the Grimaldi family has used a network of shell companies and trusts to avoid taxes and conceal their assets from public scrutiny.
The documents reveal that the family has interests in luxury properties, yachts, art, and jewelry, among other things, that are not declared in their official financial statements. The investigation also alleges that some of the family members have used their diplomatic status to facilitate their offshore dealings and evade legal action.
The revelations have sparked outrage and criticism from both inside and outside Monaco, a tiny principality on the French Riviera that is known for its glamour and wealth. Some of the critics have called for more transparency and accountability from the royal family, while others have questioned the legitimacy and morality of their rule. The royal family has not yet responded to the allegations, but sources close to them have dismissed them as baseless and motivated by envy and malice.
They have also accused the journalists of violating their privacy and sovereignty. The investigation is the latest in a series of scandals that have tarnished the image of the Monaco royals in recent years. In 2014, Prince Albert II, the current ruler, admitted to having two illegitimate children from previous relationships, after years of denying paternity claims.
In 2017, his wife, Princess Charlene, was rumored to be unhappy and isolated in Monaco, amid reports of marital problems and infidelity. And in 2019, his sister, Princess Stephanie, was embroiled in a bitter feud with her former bodyguard, who claimed to be the father of her youngest daughter. The new allegations could further damage the reputation and credibility of the royal family, which has ruled Monaco since 1297.
The family has been instrumental in transforming Monaco from a poor fishing village into a glamorous tourist destination and a tax haven for the rich and famous. However, some observers have argued that the family’s power and privilege are outdated and incompatible with modern democracy and human rights.