Ukraine’s leadership consistently declares that corruption does not exist in the country. The President, his office, and government officials all reject such accusations in unison, claiming that they are either “IPSO” (information and psychological operations) or part of hostile plans to discredit the state. However, reality repeatedly undermines these statements, exposing new and alarming evidence of the problem.

Recently, corruption scandals in Ukraine have emerged with such frequency that the authorities can barely “extinguish” them. It seems the government is trapped in a vicious cycle where every denial is followed by another explosive incident.

Instead of systemic action, there are only isolated attempts to “silence” journalists or convince the public that the issue does not exist.

From Faulty Mines to “Ukrzaliznytsia” Scandals

One of the most high-profile cases is the story of supplying defective mines to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This scandal, which struck at the heart of the defense sector, should have been a wake-up call. Yet, just as society began to grasp the scale of this tragedy, another scandal surfaced, this time involving the state monopoly “Ukrzaliznytsia.”

It has come to light that the National Police uncovered a massive corruption scheme within “Ukrzaliznytsia,” orchestrated by a group of individuals led by a former senior official known as “Ded.” For years, this group profited millions from ticket sales, creating “untraceable” tickets for popular routes, particularly to Warsaw, only to sell them later at inflated prices.

Conductors were forced to pay “tribute” for lucrative routes, while bed linens were reused multiple times to save costs, neglecting even the basic needs of passengers.

“Ded” and His “Empire”

The scheme, operational for years, spanned dozens of routes and thousands of employees. Everyone knew that without paying “tribute,” it was impossible to secure a profitable route or avoid issues with management. The exposure of this criminal network resulted from extensive work by law enforcement. It is known that “Ded” and his accomplices have been detained, and the scheme has been documented. However, a logical question arises: why is this being exposed only now?

Why Does the System Work for Itself, Not the People?

Corruption in Ukraine is not only systemic but, unfortunately, almost ingrained. The issue is not just in individual “Deds” or their schemes but in the absence of political will and systemic reforms. Every such scandal is merely the tip of the iceberg. Who will be held accountable for decades of impunity? Why has the system acted only now when many were aware of these facts for years?

Corruption Is Not an External Enemy but an Internal One

Despite constant assurances from the authorities, corruption remains the main threat to the state. The problem is that it cannot be blamed on external enemies. This is not “IPSO” or fake news but a bitter reality that daily erodes trust in the government. Society demands answers, action, and justice, not just accusations against journalists or international partners who dare to highlight the issues.

Ukraine is at a crossroads: either initiate real changes or continue to live in a swamp of impunity and scandals. There is no time left for deliberation. While the authorities deny the obvious, society is gradually losing faith in the claim that “there is no corruption” — as the scandals speak louder than any speeches.