NABU detective who uncovered embezzlement schemes in the “Army of Drones” resigned, making a loud statement

High-quality anti-corruption activity is one of the key issues of our society, which has not yet yielded significant results. In Ukraine, this process is particularly important, given the systemic problems in the field of public administration and the use of public funds. However, even in those institutions that were created to fight corruption, situations arise that raise questions about the transparency and effectiveness of their work.

Investigating corruption in drone procurement

On January 22, 2025, senior detective of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), Andriy Denysyuk, who was investigating corruption schemes in the procurement of drones for the “Drone Army”, announced his resignation. In his letter to his colleagues, he explained in detail the reasons for such a decision, in particular focusing on irresponsibility and unprofessionalism, which, according to him, prevail in the bureau.

The “Army of Drones” project has become one of the largest innovative projects in the defense sector of Ukraine. It was aimed at providing the Armed Forces with modern drones for reconnaissance and combat missions. However, as the investigation revealed, government procurement of drones was accompanied by significant corruption risks.

For data investigative journalists, the state overpaid almost 600 million hryvnias for the purchase of EVO MAX 4T drones under contracts concluded within the project. In particular, Yuriy Shchygol, the former head of the State Intelligence Service, is suspected of fraud.

Despite the fact that in January 2024 NABU opened criminal proceedings on this fact, no one has yet been charged. In his appeal, Andriy Denysiuk called the investigation of this case extremely ineffective.

Letter of the detective

“Colleagues, today is my last working day at NABU as a senior detective of the 4 PD 1 GPA. I made this decision after long thoughts on this topic.

I will not be traditional and I will not tell everyone the obvious things about who we are (or were) and how proud I am (or was). I want to open the curtain on those events that took place, simply because:

1. It is my style (but unfortunately not the bureau’s style) to act in accordance with the principle of transparency and accountability, primarily for internal communications.
2. I think it is fair that employees should know about possible conflicts and crises from primary sources, and not think things through and gather rumors.
3. I don’t care where and what NABU will be in the future, but silence creates even greater internal tension and can then lead to either complete degradation or collapse.

Our detective minds love and are used to the “beyond a reasonable doubt” category, but neither the situation with Uglava, nor my situation, probably does not have such facts, but still.

My main complaint is the gross irresponsibility with unprofessionalism (or generally bad faith) manifested in the unwillingness to conduct investigations into abuses in drone purchases, as well as the lack of transparent and clear communication in such decisions with the determination of personal responsibility. The point is as follows:

— During the investigation of corruption in procurement in the field of IT in the State Special Service (one of the main ones in the “Army of drones” program, which master tens of billions every year) in April 2023, we discovered blatant facts of corruption in the procurement of drones with factoring at the level of the head of the service (correspondence, actors, kickbacks, cash, etc.). These facts were still not enough for a complete picture and suspicion.

— Realizing that the resources for the simultaneous investigation of two directions will not be enough, I agreed with the head of the GPA on who to involve in helping, and transferred the materials to another department and unit. Obviously, waiting for complex and professional actions within the framework of ORS or KP.

— Regularly asking the executor about the state of affairs regarding drones, I found out only limited information about what they were doing.

— In November 2023, we brought the IT case to the attention of the management of DSSZZI, who were hastily dismissed on the same day, contrary to all procedures.

— The result of the work of another unit on drones in almost 6 months was an inspection and a letter (already after our suspicion) on 3 sheets, where they informed officials potentially involved in the scheme about the discovered inflated price for one of the drones. Without any ORS or KP!

— As a result of the suspicion of the leadership of the State Agency for Social Security and Development and the wild fright of the corrupt, who saw that not everything is under control in this body and the supervising ministry, only one drone manufacturer (on which a 3-page letter was written) reduced the price of drones by half, and the total amount of savings when reviewing contracts for the same manufacturer — more than UAH 2.5 billion. I think the scale of the approximate embezzlement is clear.

— But instead of a high-quality and timely investigation or ORS, when there was more than enough evidence to start the criminal investigation and the subjective and objective side of the crime, colleagues for some reason engaged in highlighting the detected crimes without recording them. As it turned out later, this was not their first “highlighting” of the same ministry.

— Then these same colleagues, for what “merits” it is not clear, are promoted, providing rapid career growth and opportunities to scale.

The results of our investigations led to the scare of the participants of the schemes and further reduction of the price. And the sent letter became an element of impossibility (at least significant complication) of prosecution due to the absence of losses to the state. However, with our own hands (the same actors), both at the national and international level, this “economy” is demonstrated as an incredible anti-corruption activity of the supervising ministry.

— The reasons for non-investigation of drone crimes by the management of the department that was supposed to deal with it were explained by the “management decision” (Uglavy), so at that time in 2023 I did not raise this story.

After the scandal with Uglava and increasing doubts about his integrity, more doubts arose about the integrity of drone processes and decisions.

— In connection with this, in 2024, I wrote an application for an official investigation. In my subjective opinion, the level of expected capabilities of the UEC is greatly exaggerated and they can reach conclusions only based on obvious (often formal) violations. The miracle did not happen, and this time they did not find any violations, although they did not receive comprehensive answers to most of the key comments. The official investigation was closed.

We are told to catch “big fish”. But when this fish and other potential “big fish” are already on the hook and we ask for help “pulling” it, strange things start to happen, like the ones I described above. And these things do not have logical and comprehensive explanations.

So do you need this “big fish” then?

Currently, most of our investigations into drones (started by our department after suspicion in November 2023) have the problem of qualitative proof, first of all, of the subjective side of the officials of the DSSZHI with “businessmen” who concluded almost all their contracts during the summer of 2023. And now they say that this is priority #1. And as many as 1.5 people (not including myself) are engaged in these proceedings.

This is only the main small component of these events, I will not overload with details.

I do not see myself as a victim of the system, but I have made a decision to become stronger and develop outside the system. I have no hatred towards any actors in this process. Rather disappointment and immediately. To the hypocrisy that is cultivated in the office.

And also sadness regarding the institution that was born with a strong core, but many problems in optimizing and improving processes. Because now, although there are some processes of correcting problems that have existed for years, the total loss of this core is still felt. As my good friend says, “the lips are beautiful”, while something is rotting in the soul.

Transparency and accountability — for me, first of all, it’s about honest and high-quality internal communication. Because we do not tolerate lies and hypocrisy, I do not.

Thank you to most of you for being fair, loyal, honest and professional. Those who are not like that, I sincerely wish not to get stuck in malice about this or other situations or people, but to find the best in yourself and fight for it, first of all for yourself.

I will forever remain a friend of the institution and will fight first of all with myself to stay true to the values ​​declared by it.

Respect to those Bureau employees who in practice adhere to these values ​​and carry this structure on their shoulders. My knowledge, my heart and resources (to the extent possible) are always available to you if needed! Thank you”, – wrote Andriy Denisyuk.

So, in his address, Denysiuk did not hide his disappointment with the work of NABU. He noted that the institution, which was created to fight corruption, has lost its inner core and is replacing real reforms with cosmetic changes. According to him, the lack of transparency, lack of accountability and the cultivation of hypocrisy create conditions for the degradation of the system.

This situation raises important questions regarding the work of anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine. Transparency, accountability and efficiency should be the main principles of their activities. Without this, it is impossible to achieve real changes and public trust.

The story of Andrii Denysyuk is not only evidence of problems in the system, but also an example of how individual people try to resist corruption and defend principles. It is important that such voices are heard, and that the presented facts are properly evaluated. Only then will anti-corruption bodies be able to fulfill their mission, and society will be able to move towards real changes.