‘High Risk’: Pentagon Inspector General Probing Corruption In Ukraine

The Pentagon’s inspector general is investigating corruption in the Ukrainian government related to the significant amount of aid it has received since the Russian invasion last year, calling it a “high risk” to the country. The probe led by Inspector General Robert Storch has more than 20 audits scheduled and close to 100 individuals engaged in monitoring Ukraine with the State Department and USAID as partners. The risks of corruption in Ukraine, which is fighting on two fronts against Russia and internal corruption, could damage the trust of foreign governments that are providing supplies and weaponry to the country. There are growing concerns from Republicans about the lack of oversight of the Biden administration’s aid to Ukraine, with the US providing over $78 billion in military, humanitarian, and economic aid since January last year. According to a senior official in Storch’s office, Ukraine’s battle against corruption and Russia causes the country to split its resources. One official expressed concerns over the potential theft and misuse of weapons systems and goods that are being shipped to Ukraine, pointing out that foreign nations and criminal groups are interested in obtaining them. Classified documents leaked from the Pentagon reveal the Biden administration’s pessimistic view that Ukraine cannot defeat Russia due to weaknesses in its military equipment and air defenses.