18 March, 2026
Andrzej Fałkowski examines Ukraine as a defining case of modern state resilience, arguing that anti-corruption has become a core element of national security rather than a secondary governance issue. In the context of war, institutional transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining foreign support, domestic legitimacy, and effective defence spending.
The article outlines Ukraine’s evolving anti-corruption architecture, including specialized investigative bodies, courts, and the growing role of civil society. These mechanisms not only address internal challenges but also reinforce trust with international partners such as the EU, NATO, and financial institutions.
Fałkowski highlights the tension within the defence sector, where the need for secrecy often conflicts with demands for transparency. Wartime conditions increase the risk of misuse, yet Ukraine’s experience shows that anti-corruption systems can continue to function—and even strengthen—under pressure. He introduces the idea of “wartime institutional acceleration,” where existential threat drives reforms that might otherwise stall.
Ultimately, the article argues that anti-corruption is now a pillar of strategic resilience. Ukraine demonstrates that strong institutions, public oversight, and accountability are critical not only to governance, but to sustaining national defence and long-term stability.
Anti-corruption as an element of strategic state resilience by Andrzej Fałkowski as originally published on defence24.com