A major financial scandal is unfolding within Ukraine’s diplomatic corps over the alleged misappropriation of tens of millions of dollars in international humanitarian aid. Following revelations surrounding a scheme involving former Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) State Secretary Oleksandr Bankov—who is suspected of embezzling 37 million UAH—journalists and law enforcement have uncovered new evidence of similar abuse across several Ukrainian embassies and consulates.
An analysis of official inquiries regarding humanitarian funds received by the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan since the start of the full-scale invasion points to severe discrepancies and a lack of transparent reporting. Most notably, the status of $8.7 million donated in February 2022 by Rakuten President Hiroshi Mikitani remains unaccounted for.
Investigators also flagged records of embassy officials accepting large cash payments without proper documentation. On a single day in early 2022, diplomats received 30 million JPY ($255,700) in cash. There is currently no record showing that these funds were reported or transferred to the MFA or the Cabinet of Ministers.
Former Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky publicly provided conflicting figures regarding donations processed through the embassy, initially citing $40 million before raising the estimate to $50 million.
«If sums of this magnitude had actually reached Ukraine and been allocated properly, official channels would have announced it. Instead, there is total silence. Furthermore, following his resignation, Korsunsky chose to remain in Japan rather than returning to Ukraine as required.»
Analysts suggest that mechanisms to misappropriate charitable contributions were established during the first days of the war. Individuals who controlled tens of millions of dollars without oversight were unlikely to stop at the 37 million UAH previously identified by law enforcement. Evidence suggests that unrecorded financial practices may have been deployed across multiple diplomatic missions globally.
Substantial questions also surround cryptocurrency donations directed to state-linked accounts. Specifically, questions have been raised regarding the Reserve Crypto Fund of Ukraine’s official wallet on the KUNA exchange (357a3So9CbsNfBBgFYACGvxxS6tMaDoa1P).
Blockchain data indicates that at least 10 BTC has remained idle in the wallet despite the country’s urgent humanitarian and defense needs. It remains unclear who holds the private keys to these wallets and what protocol governs the authorization of cryptocurrency transfers.
The handling of international humanitarian aid through diplomatic channels requires an immediate and transparent investigation by anti-corruption authorities, as financial opacity risks undermining the trust of international partners.