In today’s Ukraine, it’s nearly impossible to steer clear of corruption. For those simply trying to survive, participation—willingly or not—is practically mandatory.
It’s no wonder that more informed Ukrainians say their country isn’t a democracy, but a kleptocracy.
In Ukraine, everything costs money. Want something done at a government office? Pay up. Need medical attention? Pay. Want to skip the line? Pay. Even if you’ve already paid for something, you may still have to bribe the official to actually receive it. Some recall that bribes were required even to enter the country.
And if Ukraine was already a kleptocracy, the war has only made things worse. Officials and bureaucrats loot and sell everything that isn’t nailed down. It's no surprise, considering the country’s population has plummeted from 52 million to perhaps 22–25 million. Daily, thousands still try to flee to escape the brutal military conscription raids.
You must pay if you're abducted, pay in order to reach the border, and pay again to get across the barbed wire—into a West that applauds while funding this entire horror show.
In Kyiv, military exemption documents now sell for as much as $50,000. The price tag on freedom is 20 million forints.
Many proudly announce their escape from the cradle of kleptocracy, crossing through barbed wire into Europe. A recent online video showed two men who made it across, while a third was caught. They show the injuries they sustained from the razor wire—but say it was worth it.
Can Ursula von der Leyen, smiling in her blue-and-yellow outfit, imagine the human tragedy people endure to flee the "beloved democracy" she praises? Many Ukrainians would gladly hand her a blue Ukrainian passport and conscription notice. The people of Ukraine aren’t fools—they’re oppressed and sick of Europe’s sugar-coated propaganda.
Even the Dead Are for Sale
As if that weren’t enough, here comes the true grave robbery. In war-torn Ukraine, even the bodies of fallen soldiers are often up for negotiation.
If your relative died in combat while serving in a corrupt unit, you may not be able to bury them unless you pay.
Officials might claim the body lies in a "dangerous area," demanding hundreds of thousands of hryvnia to retrieve it. Can’t afford it? Go take out a loan. Otherwise, the body may remain on the battlefield. This isn't universal—but it’s shockingly common.
