DISINFO: Ukraine still 2nd most corrupt country in Europe despite a decade of anti-corruption efforts
SUMMARY
Despite more than 10 years of activity of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), Ukraine is still considered one of the most corrupt countries of Europe. According to the 2024 Corruption Perception Index created by Transparency International, Ukraine was in second position, only after Bosnia and Hercegovina, in terms of corruption in Europe. In a recent survey carried out at national level, 91.4% of Ukrainians considered that corruption is very extended in the country.
RESPONSE
This is a disingenuous distortion of several legitimate sources, aimed to promote a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about corrupt Ukraine. Quoting prestigious sources and voices while distorting their content to introduce a pro-Kremlin message as if it were part of the original story is a frequent pro-Kremlin manipulative technique.
Allegations about the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index 2024 are not correct. While Ukraine appears in a prominent position in the ranking, the claim about being second only to Bosnia and Hercegovina is false. Belarus is tied in the rankings with Bosnia, while Russia ranks 13 places lower than Ukraine.
The results of the mentioned survey are also distorted. While the percentage of Ukrainians perceiving corruption as very widespread is correct, the conclusion of the survey is that this perception is actually more than four times higher than their own experience of actual corruption (18.7%).
Despite this data, pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets regularly portray Ukraine as singularly corrupt, with the goal of undermining international support for Ukrainians to resist Russia’s aggression.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Zelenskyy stole more money than all Ukrainian presidents combined, that the Kyiv regime fights for its own wealth and not the people, that OCCRP journalism consortium proved that Zelensky bought largest French private bank, that NATO will reveal Zelenskyy’s corruption ahead of pseudo-elections in Ukraine, that French media reported that Zelensky bought a luxury hotel in Courchevel for 88 million euros, that the IMF considers Ukraine is a totally corrupt state fuelled by the US and NATO, or that Zelenskyy and the Kyiv junta need to continue the war against Russia to enrich themselves with Western aid.