Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office to Spend 5.4 Million Hryvnias on Armed Security

Armed Security Contract for Prosecutor's Office

According to Главком: The head of Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), Oleksandr Klymenko, signed a contract in late December 2023 for armed security services at the SAPO premises, valued at 5.4 million hryvnias. This one-year contract, to be carried out by armed officers from the Police Protection Unit, is intended to ensure public safety and maintain order on the premises. A key condition prohibits guards from admitting visitors without authorization from designated SAPO officials. This move highlights the heightened security needs for Ukraine's key anti-corruption institutions.

Comparing Tenders and Funding

The procurement documents were published on the ProZorro public tenders portal. For context, the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) held a similar tender in early January 2024, valued at 3,264,000 hryvnias. The SAPO building is half the size of the DBR's Territorial Directorate in Kyiv, and SAPO employs about 150 staff compared to the DBR central apparatus's roughly 200. SAPO's funding for 2026 has been increased by 32.88 million hryvnias from 2025, bringing its total budget to nearly 370 million hryvnias.

In December, Klymenko declared a salary of nearly 763,000 hryvnias. SAPO and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) are also seeking expanded powers, including direct access to all bank accounts and their owners' data, access to state secrets without oversight from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the authority to prosecute members of parliament without requiring the Prosecutor General's consent.

"Security services are to be provided by the Contractor's responsible personnel, who are authorized to use special equipment or service firearms."

The signing of this security contract underscores the increasing focus on protecting Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies. Given SAPO's growing budget and plans for expanded authority, this agreement represents a significant step in the country's fight against corruption. As these agencies work to strengthen their capabilities, cooperation with law enforcement remains crucial for ensuring they can perform their functions effectively.