Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group.

 

This report discusses the planned, ongoing, and completed oversight work conducted by the DoD, State, and USAID Offices of Inspector General, as well as the other U.S. oversight agencies that coordinate their activities through the Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group.

Special Inspector General Report for Operation Atlantic Resolve | Quarterly Report to the United States Congress | January 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024 05/16/2024 09:31 AM EDT

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Corruption Remains a Persistent Challenge for the Ukrainian Government 

pp. 54–57 

• Perception of corruption in Ukraine has declined significantly since 2013, but it still remains one of the least accountable governments in Europe. 

• The war has created new opportunities for bribes, kickbacks, and inflated procurement costs. 

• The U.S. provided technical assistance and training to Ukrainian investigators and prosecutors. • Ukraine’s anticorruption institutions investigated and arrested government officials and legislators for bribery and embezzlement

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U.S. UKRAINE RESPONSE OPERATIONS 

JANUARY 1, 2024—MARCH 31, 2024 

Russian Forces Made Incremental Gains Along a Mostly Static Front Line pp. 26–30, 34

• The UAF withdrew from the industrial town of Avdiivka after months of heavy fighting. 

Russian forces targeted economic and energy infrastructure in Ukraine. 

• Russian forces committed war crimes, including the deportation and reeducation of Ukrainian children. 

• The UAF sank several Russian warships with unmanned surface vessels and hit Russian oil and gas facilities with UAVs. 

• President Zelenskyy dismissed his top military commander amid increased tensions between the two men. 

• Ukraine lowered its conscription age, potentially providing 50,000 new troops for the UAF. Training and Equipping Efforts Continue pp. 39–46, 85 

• U.S. and Danish training aims to have Ukrainian F-16 pilots ready by summer 2024. 

• Advisors train UAF personnel to serve as instructors and increase self-sufficiency. 

• Advisors work to build Ukrainian maintenance capability, but major repairs still require that equipment be sent out of country. 

• International partners established capability coalitions to build the UAF’s long-term fighting ability. 

• State provided training and equipment to investigate and prosecute war criminals and human rights violators. 

14.6M Ukrainians—Half the Country—Need Humanitarian Assistance pp. 17, 64–70 

• Since Feb 2022, USAID has provided over $2 billion in humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. 

• USAID released new guidance and precautions for aid workers in Ukraine. 

• USAID has directed resources to respond to Russian attacks on energy and healthcare infrastructure.

Uncertain Funding Created Challenges for U.S. and Ukrainian Militaries pp. 9–11, 35–36 

• The first new Ukraine assistance bill in 16 months was enacted on April 24. 

• The DoD had begun to reduce its support for Ukraine prior to the enactment of new funding. 

• The DoD sent $10 billion worth of weapons to the UAF that it did not have the funds to replace. 

• UAF troops reported rationing ammunition due to limited supply. 

Corruption Remains a Persistent Challenge for the Ukrainian Government pp. 54–57 

• Perception of corruption in Ukraine has declined significantly since 2013, but it still remains one of the least accountable governments in Europe. 

• The war has created new opportunities for bribes, kickbacks, and inflated procurement costs. 

• The U.S. provided technical assistance and training to Ukrainian investigators and prosecutors. 

• Ukraine’s anticorruption institutions investigated and arrested government officials and legislators for bribery and embezzlement. 

OAR Oversight is Enhancing Transparency pp. 21, 123–129 

• The Special IG launched UkraineOversight.gov to make comprehensive information about OAR more accessible to the public. 

•Special IG and partner agency reports found: 

• The Navy over-spent funds for Ukraine. 

• USEUCOM had limited oversight of equipment transported to Ukraine by rail. 

• USAID did not verify the accuracy of Ukrainian salaries being reimbursed with U.S. funds. 

• State’s risk assessments and monitoring for security assistance programs need improvement.