
Audio By Carbonatix
Ukrainian conscription officials accused of taking bribes and smuggling people out of the country have been sacked in an anti-corruption purge.
Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed more than 30 people face criminal charges, with all regional officials in charge of military conscription removed.
He said bribery at a time of war is "high treason".
It comes amid efforts to bolster the armed forces, as Ukraine's counter-offensive operation continues.
A statement from the president's office said corruption allegations "pose a threat to Ukraine's national security and undermine confidence in state institutions".
Replacement officials will be chosen from candidates who have battlefield experience and have been vetted by the intelligence service, it continued.
Officials taking cash and cryptocurrency bribes or helping people eligible to be called up to fight to leave Ukraine are among the charges, said Mr Zelensky, in a video posted on social media.
Ukraine's general mobilisation rules mean all men over the age of 18 capable of fighting are eligible to be conscripted, and most adult men under the age of 60 are prohibited from leaving the country.
"We are dismissing all regional military commissars," he said.
"This system should be run by people who know exactly what war is and why cynicism and bribery at a time of war is high treason."
He said the conscription system "is not working decently", adding: "The way they treat warriors, the way they treat their duties, it's just immoral."
The corruption came to light after an inspection of local army offices.
Mr Zelensky said 112 criminal proceedings against 33 suspects have been launched against regional officials, and that abuses had been found across the country.
Neither Ukraine or Russia reveal how many of their soldiers have been killed since the February 2022 invasion, but both have sought recruits widely as attritional fighting continues.
The anti-corruption drive is the latest to be launched by the Zelensky government.
In January 11 officials accused of corruption left their posts and the head of the country's Supreme Court was detained in May over bribery allegations.
Corruption in public services has been a long-running problem in Ukraine and tackling it is one of the tests the country would have to pass to join Western institutions like the European Union.
According to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, Ukraine ranks 116th out of 180 countries, but efforts in recent years have seen its position improve significantly.
Latest Stories
-
Muftawu Nabila’s report from New York as Ferran Torres extra time strike wins Spain World Cup title
12 minutes -
Mbappe first to win World Cup Golden Boot twice
29 minutes -
Spain battle past 10-man Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win World Cup
34 minutes -
New EU border system tripling time at passport control, airport boss says
52 minutes -
Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber and BTS perform at colourful World Cup half-time show
1 hour -
At least six dead and 21 injured after 2 earthquakes in Peru
2 hours -
Ferry carrying 133 passengers and crew sinks off Guyana coast
2 hours -
Publish Constitution Review Committee report before assenting to Tribunals Bill – Bawumia challenges Mahama
2 hours -
T-bills: Government exceeds target by 73%, interest rates decline
2 hours -
Sammi Awuku welcomes reconstitution of Ghana Tourism Authority Board after raising legal concerns
2 hours -
Photos: ECOWAS backs Ghana’s anti-xenophobia petition to AU
2 hours -
NPP ready to engage in consultations on Tribunals Bill – Bawumia
3 hours -
How to spot and avoid task scams on WhatsApp, Telegram
3 hours -
Ghana Electronic Procurement System will reduce corruption in public procurement – PPA
3 hours -
Ghana needs stronger courts, not a parallel justice structure – Bawumia on Tribunals Bill
4 hours