Ukrainian service members may gain new mechanisms to report corruption and legal protection from retaliation.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine supported a draft law prepared by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The document provides for amendments to the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Service members will be able to report corruption-related violations

In the event of detecting possible corruption or corruption-related offenses, as well as other violations of the Law of Ukraine “On Prevention of Corruption,” service members will be able to contact authorized units or designated officials responsible for preventing and detecting corruption.

Currently, the Disciplinary Statute provides for the possibility of a service member filing a report primarily in cases where a commander has made an unlawful decision concerning them, violated their rights, or unlawfully held them accountable.

The draft law establishes separate guarantees for service members who acquire whistleblower status. For submitting a report about possible violations, they may not be dismissed from military service, forced to resign, subjected to disciplinary liability, or exposed to other negative measures.

In addition, the document provides for the possibility of rewarding service members who are whistleblowers in accordance with the provisions of Section II of the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

What channels can be used to report corruption

The draft law allows service members to independently choose how to submit information about possible violations.

In particular, the following channels are provided:

  • internal — the Unified Whistleblower Reporting Portal and dedicated telephone hotlines;
  • regular — reports to the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, the National Police of Ukraine, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation, or prosecutorial authorities;
  • external — reports to the mass media, civic associations, or trade unions.

According to Colonel of Justice Serhii Stepanyan, Director of the Department for Prevention and Detection of Corruption of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the proposed amendments are intended to ensure proper legal protection for service members who report corruption.

“These changes will increase transparency within military structures, strengthen corruption prevention mechanisms, and guarantee reliable protection for whistleblowers against possible retaliation or pressure,” Serhii Stepanyan said.

The draft law still has to be considered by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. After being adopted by Parliament, the document must be signed by the President of Ukraine. Only after that will it be able to enter into force.