Seizure of French houses in investigation into Ukrainian ex-official

A Ukrainian corruption investigation has led to the seizure of real estate in France linked to fraudulent purchases of bulletproof vests for the military. A former defense ministry official is suspected of corruption and money laundering, allegedly involved in acquiring 67,000 vests of poor quality, costing the state an estimated €53 million. The suspect reportedly received bribes from the equipment seller, with funds funneled into French real estate, including properties in Nice. The operation involved collaboration between French and Ukrainian authorities, coordinated by Eurojust. The contract for the vests was signed in March 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion, with payment made upfront. Corruption remains a persistent issue in Ukraine, despite recent efforts to combat it, as evidenced by ongoing high-profile arrests.