Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU)

The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine is a central executive authority responsible for overseeing compliance with legislation on the protection of economic competition, reviewing cases of abuse of monopoly position, approving mergers and acquisitions, and investigating cartels. Theoretically, it serves as an independent market arbitrator. In practice, it is one of the most sought-after targets for corrupt takeover: every AMCU decision can cost businesses billions or open a market to a "desired" player.

The fact that AMCU decisions can be sold was confirmed by an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU): in 2022, former Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Smyrnov received a $100,000 bribe from the owner of a construction company to have the AMCU cancel the results of a tender won by a competitor and ensure the victory of the preferred developer. The investigation asserts that Smyrnov fulfilled his obligations—the AMCU adopted the "desired" decision. The current head of AMCU, Pavlo Kyrylenko, is suspected of illegal enrichment totaling UAH 72.1 million—assets are registered under relatives of his wife. NABU completed its investigation and forwarded the case to court; Kyrylenko continues to lead the committee while wearing an electronic bracelet. Separate incidents have been recorded involving the arrest of AMCU state officials caught directly receiving bribes for "not recording violations and imposing dues."