The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has completed an investigation into suspected fraud and misappropriation of public funds related to the development of the DZVIN automated battlefield command-and-control system, intended for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This is one of the latest corruption scandals to have gripped Ukraine, exposing how deeply entrenched it is in the war-torn country.
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According to the investigation, former high-ranking military officials, including a former deputy chief of staff, a former head of the Communications Corps, and a former director of the automation department of the General Staff, allegedly collaborated with a businessman hired to develop the software to turn the contract into a scheme for the illicit acquisition of state funds.
The investigation indicates that in 2016, the Ukrainian Army outsourced the system’s development to a private company with no proven experience in the field. Over the next four years, the project’s technical specifications were revised 13 times, increasing costs by approximately $11 million at the 2020 exchange rate. Producing more prototypes and updating technical documentation increased the budget by $4.25 million. NABU estimates that about $6 million was misused.
In addition to multiple delays and substantial cost increases, the delivered system failed to meet operational requirements. The software remained incompatible with NATO standards and unable to integrate with other military systems.
Out of the 200 planned information and calculation functions, only ten were actually implemented. Nonetheless, the tool was officially adopted at the end of 2022. By 2024, someone involved had requested additional public funds to address the identified issues.
Those under investigation could face charges with sentences of seven to twelve years in prison, along with asset confiscation. There is currently no confirmation if the suspects are still in Ukraine.
At the same time, NABU continues to conduct the large-scale Operation Midas anti-corruption effort. The operation included searches in November 2025 at addresses linked toformer Energy and Justice Minister German Galushchenko, the state-owned nuclear energy company Energoatom, and businessmanTimur Mindich, a close ally of Zelensky.
Prosecutors described a criminal network where private contractors were forced to pay 10-15% bribes on contracts to secure deals or avoid delays. These funds, estimated at around $100 million, were then allegedly laundered through a network of companies and individuals.
Source: Global Research
