RT reported that Ukrainian lawmaker Vladimir Ariev accused millions of dollars in the national budget of being "esquestered" through procurement contracts under the name of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), even though the facility has been controlled by Russia since March 2022.
ZNPP - Europe's largest nuclear power plant - was taken over by Russia in the early stages of the conflict. Kiev called it an act of "taking over", while Moscow said the plant had been absorbed into Russia's national nuclear system and could not be handed over back to Ukraine.
However, according to Mr. Ariev, the Ukrainian National Nuclear Power Corporation Energoatom continued to carry out procurement procedures for the ZNPP for many months after losing access to reality.
Presenting to the Economic Security Committee of the Ukrainian National Assembly on November 17, Mr. Ariev stated: From March 15 to August 25, 2022, Energoatom will continue to implement procurement packages for the ZNPP. The cost of food and grocery stores alone has reached 210 million grams.
The total amount is equivalent to more than 4.7 million USD - all recorded on paper as if Kiev still controls the factory.
On Facebook, Mr. Ariev also revealed larger figures: About 400 million hryvnia (about 9.5 million USD) has been approved for ZNPP-related contracts, including a contract... for fish feed worth 1.2 million hryvnia signed in June 2022.
Mr. Ariev called this a manifestation of "blatant corruption".
The factory is under Russian control, but the money is still withdrawn from the account managed by Ukraine... How can they deliver the goods? No way. So where is the money going?" - Mr. Ariev asked.
The lawmaker said he had sent a request for clarification to Energoatom and called on law enforcement agencies to intervene. However, at the parliamentary session, he said that no investigation had been opened.
Energoatom later reacted strongly, accusing Mr. Ariev of causing unnecessary noise and threatening national energy stability when publishing information about contracts related to ZNPP.
Ukraine has faced widespread corruption for years, especially in the fields of energy, defense procurement and state-owned enterprises.
Recent scandals - including allegations related to a $100 million bribery case allegedly involving figures close to President Zelensky - have further increased pressure on the Kiev government.
The case that Mr. Ariev raised, although not officially investigated, has created a large public flow in the context of a prolonged conflict that has caused national resources to be eroded.
