CORRUPTION RISKS IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS COMMISSIONED BY SECURITY AND PARAMILITARY AGENCIES: IDENTIFICATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES

Abstract

In the context of the prolonged Russian-Ukrainian war, when resources are directed toward strengthening defense capability, the construction of facilities for the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the police, and other security and paramilitary formations acquires strategic significance. However, it is precisely in this sphere that corruption risks reach a critical level due to the non-transparency of processes, large volumes of financing, and the specifics of customers who often operate under limited access to information. The relevance of the topic is determined by the need to strengthen control over public expenditures under martial law conditions, where corruption risks appear at all stages: from tender documentation to the acceptance of completed works. The purpose of the study is to identify corruption risks in the implementation of construction works for security and paramilitary structures and to develop ways to minimize them. The objectives include analyzing corruption factors, studying criminal cases, comparing with international experience, and formulating recommendations. The methodology is based on the analysis of the regulatory and legal framework, the study of judicial practice, materials of criminal proceedings, as well as the comparative analysis of international experience. The results of the study show that the main corruption risks in the field of construction for security and paramilitary structures are concentrated at three levels: the stage of tender procedures and obtaining permit documentation; the direct construction process and use of budgetary funds; and the mixed stage, which combines the influence on documentation and the actual performance of works. The key risk factors are fictitious subcontracts, overstatement of material costs, conflict of interest, and official negligence. The article analyzes materials of criminal proceedings and judicial practice, both of courts of general jurisdiction, on the example of the Vyshhorod District Court of Kyiv Region, and of specialized courts represented by the High Anti-Corruption Court. Based on the results of the study, ways to minimize corruption risks were proposed. The proposed minimization measures include the digitalization of procedures through Prozorro and the Unified State Electronic System in the field of construction, strengthening the role of independent audit and technical supervision, as well as the involvement of the public and anti-corruption bodies. The conclusions emphasize that the identification and elimination of corruption risks in military construction is a critical condition for increasing the efficiency of Ukraine’s defense capabilities, accelerating post-war reconstruction, and enhancing the trust of international partners.