Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed all regional heads of military enlistment amid an ongoing investigation into military recruitment corruption, announcing that army veterans will become responsible for drafting new troops.
The decision comes after accusations of corruption by way of “draft evasion” among military recruiters, who were seen to be enriching themselves at the expense of the Ukrainian armed forces. There are now 112 criminal proceedings and 33 ‘suspicions’ against enlistment office officials as a result.
Zelensky – who leads the most corrupt nation in Europe, also the place the Biden family coincidentally chose to conduct business – announced the move via his official Telegram page, arguing that military enlistment “should be run by people who know exactly what war is and why cynicism and bribery during war is treason.”
Zelensky’s decision will be implemented by the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, with all appointees subject to inspections and approval by the Ukrainian Security Service.
Allegations of Ukrainian corruption have repeatedly surfaced, including veteran journalist Seymour Hersh’s claim that the Ukrainian President, along with his generals, embezzled “at least” $400 million in U.S. aid in 2022. Ukrainian corruption as well as Zelensky’s growing authoritarianism led POLITICO to report earlier this year that he could become susceptible to “another Maidan” revolution.