Ukraintegrity / Updates on Fundamental Reforms #3
- Feb 3
- 3 min read
Dear Ukraintegrity readers,
The year in Ukraine began with the exposure of several large-scale corruption schemes across different levels of government. At the same time, a series of personnel changes followed high-profile scandals in the energy sector, presented as an effort to reset institutions and restore public trust. Taken together, these developments set a cautious but important tone for 2026: corruption cases are increasingly brought into the open, and institutional responses are more visible and contested in the public sphere. In the months ahead, reform priorities will be shaped by the 10-point action plan agreed with the European Union to accelerate key anti-corruption, rule of law, and governance reforms, which are central to advancing Ukraine’s readiness for EU accession.
Sincerely,
Inna Nelles on behalf of the German-Ukrainian Bureau (DUB) Team
HIGHLIGHTS
⚡️NABU uncovers alleged vote-buying scheme linked to Yuliia Tymoshenko. In January 2026, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) conducted searches in an investigation involving Yuliia Tymoshenko, head of the Batkivshchyna parliamentary faction. According to investigators, after earlier revelations of MPs receiving bribes for legislative decisions, Tymoshenko allegedly initiated talks to set up a systematic vote-buying mechanism — not one-off deals, but advance payments in exchange for long-term loyalty during parliamentary votes, including instructions to vote, abstain, or skip sessions. On 16 January 2026, the High Anti-Corruption Court imposed a preventive measure of UAH 33.28 million in bail, marking another high-profile case targeting corruption at the core of parliamentary decision-making.
⚡️Zelensky Pushes Through Major Government Reshuffle to Reset Trust and Strengthen the State. In early 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky initiated a major government reshuffle aimed at strengthening state institutions, boosting Ukraine’s negotiating capacity, and responding to growing demands for renewal. Kyrylo Budanov, former head of Military Intelligence, was appointed Head of the Presidential Office, bringing strong security credentials and high public trust into the executive core. Mykhailo Fedorov has assumed office as Minister of Defense, with expectations he will introduce transparency and innovation drawn from his digital reform track record. Former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is now First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, replacing Svitlana Grynchuk following corruption-related controversies.
⚡️NABU Targets Ex-Presidential Aide in “Green Tariff” Corruption Case. NABU and SAPO have announced suspicions against nine people in a high-profile corruption case linked to Ukraine’s “green tariff” scheme, placing a particular spotlight on Rostyslav Shurma, former Deputy Head of the Office of the President. Shurma was one of President Zelenskyy’s key economic advisers and oversaw strategic economic and industrial policy, which makes the case especially sensitive politically. According to investigators, companies connected to Shurma and his brother received more than UAH 140 million in state payments for electricity allegedly produced by solar power plants located in Russian-occupied territories — where generation and supply were, in reality, impossible. Law enforcement suspects Shurma and his brother of misappropriating state funds through abuse of office, exploiting regulatory loopholes in the green tariff system. The investigation was launched after a detailed exposé by Bihus.Info, underscoring once again the critical role of investigative journalism in triggering accountability at the highest levels of power.
Inside COSAC
Breakfast Briefing: Rule of Law & Ukraine’s EU Accession. On 30 January, DUB and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation convened a breakfast discussion in Berlin, bringing together around 30 participants from politics, civil society, and policy circles to assess how recent developments—especially the energy-sector corruption revelations (“Mindich Gate”) and the government reshuffle—are affecting Ukraine’s EU accession track.
What's NEXT
📌On February 23, Berlin hosts Café Kyiv 2026, Europe’s most outstanding event on Ukraine organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in cooperation with numerous other organisations. Registration and the full program are already available on the official website.
DUB warmly invites you to join the discussions that we are co-organising with our partners:
1/ 11:00–11:45, Kino 4 / Defining the European Way of Drone Warfare – Lessons from Ukraine for NATO and Europe
2 / 14:45–15:30, Kino 4 / The New Frontline: Civil Society’s Role in Modern Warfare and Ukraine’s Drone Revolution
3 / 15:30-16:30, Kino 1 / Under Occupation: Repression and Dignity with Keynote by Oleksandra Matviichuk
4 / 18:30–19:15, Kino 4 / Deterring Authoritarians & Holding Russia Accountable: The Next Steps on #MakeRussiaPay
Secure your tickets now — see you in Berlin!
This initiative is part of the Continuing Successful Anti-Corruption (COSAC) Reform Initiative, supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, which amplifies Ukraine’s voice in Europe and fosters dialogue between Ukrainian and EU institutions.