Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander Imposes Strict Limits on Military Personnel Involved in Corruption

New Directives Target Corruption in Ukraine's Military

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: In early September 2026, Mykhailo Drapatyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, issued a set of regulations aimed at restricting appointments of military personnel implicated in corruption offenses. This directive, addressed to 48 officials and military units, mandates suspension of service members whose cases involving serious or particularly serious corruption crimes are pending in court.

Procedural Measures and Eligibility Criteria

The updated guidelines empower commanders to temporarily remove accused personnel from their posts prior to a court verdict. Those already convicted of corruption may only be reassigned to roles without leadership responsibilities or financial oversight. Additionally, any service member whose assets are deemed unlawfully acquired and confiscated by the state must be dismissed immediately.

The policy also sets strict standards for staffing key units such as Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TRSSC), Military Medical Commissions (MMC), and procurement departments. Candidates for these positions will undergo thorough background checks for:

• unresolved corruption-related criminal convictions,
• ongoing criminal investigations,
• administrative or disciplinary sanctions linked to corruption.

Furthermore, the rules prohibit direct reporting lines or service dependencies among close relatives serving simultaneously to prevent conflicts of interest.

Commanders are also responsible for ensuring subordinates comply with summonses from investigative bodies and courts, and must avoid assigning tasks that could justify absenteeism. Alongside this directive, Drapatyi released the document "Leadership Principles of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Military Development Amid War". His team has also drafted what could become the Ukrainian military’s first comprehensive "war plan," currently under review by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

These measures highlight a determined effort by Ukraine's military leadership to eradicate corruption within the armed forces and restore public confidence in military institutions. This initiative forms part of a broader reform strategy focused not only on combating corruption but also on enhancing governance and operational efficiency within the military. If fully implemented, these reforms could significantly strengthen the armed forces’ readiness and overall effectiveness.

In light of these new regulations, it is essential to consider how the leadership within the military is evolving. Recently, Commander Drapatyi initiated a comprehensive review of General Staff officers, emphasizing the importance of combat experience in enhancing operational effectiveness. This shift aligns with the broader objective of improving integrity and accountability within the armed forces.