Ukraine accuses key arms trade figure of corruption

A high-profile former Ukrainian politician who played a central role in the country’s efforts to acquire weapons was arrested earlier this month on corruption charges, officials said.

The ex-politician, Serhiy Pashinsky, was a long-time member of the Ukrainian parliament and spent much of his career denying accusations of self-dealing. After the Russian invasion, senior government officials called on him to help arm the army.

The New York Times reported last year that a company linked to Mr. Pashinsky, Ukraine Armored Technology, had become the largest private arms supplier in Ukraine and that authorities were investigating the company.

Prosecutors recently accused Mr. Pashinsky and five other men of taking part in an elaborate fuel-purchasing scheme that they said defrauded the Ukrainian government of about $25 million several years before the start of the war. Mr Pashinsky denied the allegations.

The charges do not relate to the weapons purchase.

Mr Pashinsky’s arrest reflects tensions in wartime Ukraine under President Volodymyr Zelensky. His government has taken a series of high-profile steps to root out corruption and reassure Western allies that Ukraine is a reliable ally committed to the rule of law. But Ukraine also desperately needs weapons and has rolled back years of anti-corruption measures to speed up procurement.

Mr. Zelensky once criticized Mr. Pashinsky on national television. “Go out into the streets and ask if Pashinsky is a criminal,” Mr. Zelensky said in 2019. “I guarantee you that out of 100 people, 100 will say he is a criminal.”

When war broke out, his government turned to Mr. Pashinsky and other figures from a rougher era for help. Mr. Pashinsky excelled at his job, military officials said.

Mr. Pashinsky has denied that he controls Ukrainian armor technology. At a hearing earlier this month, a prosecutor said authorities had found evidence that he did indeed control the company.

Ukraine’s Supreme Anti-Corruption Supreme Court this week imposed bail of more than $7 million on Mr Pashinsky. He said in a Facebook post that the bail was posted by companies in a gun industry trade group he heads.

“I am deeply ashamed that funds intended for weapons production were used as bail for me on false charges,” he wrote.

When reached by a reporter, Mr. Pashinsky declined to comment. “Call after the war,” he said.

Justin Scheck And Natalia Ermak reporting contributed.