Former Ukrainian Official Charged With Embezzling $1.28 Million in Donations

Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) announced on July 27 that it has charged Oleksandr Bankov, a former top official at the Foreign Ministry, with embezzling approximately Hr 37 million (equivalent to $1.28 million) in foreign donations. These funds were intended to support Ukraine, particularly after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

According to the NABU, Bankov, who served as the ministry’s state secretary from 2020 to 2024, along with a former head of his office, an aide to a former foreign minister, the head of a non-governmental organization (NGO), and the NGO’s accountant, allegedly misappropriated the donated money. The bureau stated that members of the group laundered the funds through currency conversion centers for their own enrichment.

Investigators claim that Bankov persuaded international donors and staff at Ukrainian diplomatic missions abroad to channel financial assistance into the bank account of an NGO under his control. The received funds were legally classified as earmarked budget funds belonging to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s special fund. Subsequently, the funds were transferred to accounts controlled by the group, funneled through money laundering centers, and withdrawn as cash.

The Foreign Ministry's press office affirmed its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy for unlawful conduct, especially corruption. It stated that the ministry has never sought to shield suspects and has provided, and continues to provide, all necessary assistance to law enforcement agencies. The ministry also noted that the NABU's announcement was partly a result of an internal Foreign Ministry audit and its cooperation with investigators.