OSCE-supported analysis of court case-law provides data for decisions on strengthening the fight against corruption in Ukraine

A new analytical report, developed jointly by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention of Ukraine (NACP) and the Centre for Political and Legal Reforms NGONGO
non-governmental organization, with financial support from the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine, presents an in-depth review of corruption-related case-law from 2024 - 2025. The report was presented and discussed on 24 September 2026 during an online event that brought together more than 200 officials, legal professionals and scholars. It is available for download from the Agency’s website.  

The report documents several notable trends. In 2025, the number of registered investigations increased by 6%, reaching 11,467, compared with 2023. At the same time, the proportion of cases sent to court with proposed conviction decreased to 34% in 2025, down from 39% in 2023. Of the court decisions that entered into legal force, 80% resulted in guilty verdicts, amounting to 2,479 convictions last year. Fines remain the most common punishment in corruption and corruption-related cases (72%), while 140 people (5%) were sentenced to imprisonment.    

«Effectiveness of anti-corruption laws is defined not only by the quality of legal mechanisms embedded in those provisions, but also by how these tools function in practice. Analysis of pre-trial investigation court review data, as well as the case-law, helps to understand whether the criminal justice system effectively counters corruption and related crimes,” said Dmytro Kalmykov, Deputy Head of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention. 

"This study offers an opportunity to review the work of courts through a systemic analysis of a large number of court rulings, making it possible to identify general trends and gaps. I hope that the findings will serve as a valuable resource for further professional discussion and contribute to improving anti-corruption practices and mechanisms," noted Natalia Stupnytska, Head of the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Democratization, and Good Governance Projects Unit at the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine.

Among the findings of the substantive case-law analysis, the authors highlighted the practice of courts imposing the highest amounts of available fines, noting that this practice may affect suspects’ willingness to confess. The authors also noted that court decisions lack a unified structure, while the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine, which is responsible for reviewing cases involving top officials, was recognized for its consistent approach. 

The research adds to a series of analytical reports that the OSCE has supported to strengthen the ability of Ukrainian authorities to enhance their anti-corruption efforts.