No to corruption: amid the Energoatom scandal, Ukrainians are urged to take to the Maidan

14 November 10:51

Public outrage is growing in Ukraine over corruption scandals in the energy and defense sectors. Against the backdrop of the Midas case and information about large-scale abuses in the energy sector, there has been a call to protest on November 15 on Independence Square under the slogan “NO to corruption.” The relevant post was published by the head of the board of the NGO “Resistance” Maria Barabash, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports

The situation escalated after a video appeared online showing Russian soldiers with the appropriate patches allegedly entering Pokrovsk on armored vehicles.

“While Bankova Street is trying to neutralize the scandal with the largest Midas case in history and large-scale corruption in the energy sector, a major tragedy is erupting on the frontline. A chilling video is circulating online: Russians with “zetas” on their sleeves are driving into Pokrovsk in vehicles. The military on the ground say the situation is stalemate. The national marathon reassures them: “Everything is under control”. But everyone understands that this is a lie,” she said.

According to the activist, the authorities are trying to minimize image losses amid high-profile investigations into the energy sector and problems in the defense system. Because of this, they believe, any news about possible losses of settlements is perceived by Bankova Street as a critical blow to the rating and public confidence.

“Bankova cannot afford to lose a city or admit defeat, because against the backdrop of high-profile corruption scandals and the collapse of the defense sector, it would be a blow that could destroy the dictatorship completely. So now all forces, all lives are being thrown at one point to cover up political failures. Pokrovsk is turning into an endless mass grave. And this is scary. Bankova Street is again playing with the lives of the military, rearranging people like pieces on a chessboard to save itself from a blow,” Barabash said.

Corruption in the defense sector: unanswered public questions

One of the key topics that is causing outrage is the data on:

embezzlement of more than UAH 5 billion allocated for the construction of fortifications;
non-transparent use of the military fee, which, according to activists, does not go directly to defense needs but is transferred to the general budget.

“By the way, did you know that the military fee that Ukrainians regularly pay to the army does not go directly to defense? This money goes to the general budget, where it dissolves and is “mastered” through schemes, tenders and fictitious contracts. Last year, Ukrainians paid more than 50 billion, but these funds did not become armor, drones, or fortifications. Unfortunately,” the activist said.

The activist emphasizes that these funds should be spent on the army and defense, but instead, some budgetary areas are becoming a tool for corruption, fictitious contracts and non-transparent schemes.

“Moreover, it has been officially confirmed that more than 5 billion was stolen from the construction of fortifications. The United News is silent about this. Because it is convenient. Meanwhile, the military is being used as meat, as a human shield to cover up Zelenskyi’s corruption and the “house of cards” of the OP. And those who expose top corruption, Ruslan Magamedrasulov and his father, are being held in the SBU pre-trial detention center for six months,” Barabash said.

The organizers of the action say that the silence of society regarding corruption in the defense and energy sectors is “becoming dangerous,” and the lives of the military “cannot be a bargaining chip for political games.”

“Enough! Freedom to the Magamedrasulovs! No to corruption! We will not allow the lives of Ukrainians to become a bargaining chip in political games. Saturday, November 15, 12:00 – Independence Square. We are coming out. Silence kills!” Barabash called.