Daily Fleyr - January 28, 2023
A voice of Ukraine to the West
US creates institutions for detecting corruption in aid for Ukraine.
The US has created an institution for monitoring and investigating the illegal actions of fraudsters and corrupt officials that are using the American people’s assistance for Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion.
On 18 January 2023, a document with the title Joint Strategic Oversight Plan for Ukraine appeared on the Office of Inspector General of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) website.
The document has pointed out once again that the US Congress allocated aid for Ukraine worth more than US$113 billion, and it goes through 11 various state bodies and agencies.
It is also noted that through planning oversight, the US strives "to identify the areas of highest risk for fraud, waste or abuse".
Therefore, the US has established the Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group, composed of three offices of inspectors general (the US Department of Defence (DoD), the US Department of State (State) and USAID), as well as other offices of inspectors general (OIGs) and oversight entities throughout the US Government.
In June 2022, oversight personnel from the three OIGs began meeting monthly to coordinate Ukraine response oversight activities.
As of December 31, 2022, the working group includes the following oversight organizations (its OIGs): the Department of Defence, the Department of State, USAID, the Defence Contract Audit Agency, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the International Development Finance Corporation, the Government Accountability Office, the Air Force Audit Agency, the Army Audit Agency and the Naval Audit Service.
This list also includes 17 intelligence organizations that are defined by the term the US Intelligence Community, whose goal is to collect information and conduct intelligence actions for the benefit of the USA.
OIG teams from multiple agencies have traveled jointly to Ukraine to gain firsthand information about the response. These coordinated site visits build a shared understanding of challenges affecting response efforts and play an integral part in raising awareness of fraud and corruption risks and reporting responsibilities. These engagements include meetings with US officials in the region, Ukrainian authorities, NATO, representatives of other bilateral donors, the United Nations, and other public international organizations participating in the response effort.
Moreover, the DoD, the State, and USAID OIGs have criminal investigators based in the United States, and Germany focused on the Ukraine response.
In addition, the US Congress appropriated US$42 million for the oversight of US assistance to Ukraine.
The USAID site also has a message to "report all illegal actions that affect support for Ukraine and its people from the USA promptly and transparently". They have posted banners in English and Ukrainian for this where it is noted how and what can be reported privately.
"Allegations of retaliation by contractors or grantees against employees who report misconduct affecting US funding will be thoroughly investigated," the message says.
Two Kalibr missile carriers deployed in the Black Sea, but foggy weather favors Ukraine.
As of the morning of 28 January, Russia is holding 12 ships in the Black Sea, including two launch vehicles with a total payload of 12 missiles.
the storm has intensified.
This forced the launch vehicles, among other things, to take cover in their bases. But the enemy's ship grouping is still quite powerful in the Black Sea. In particular, these are 12 ships, but among them are only 2 launch vehicles — one on the surface and one underwater.
The total payload of the Kalibrs is 12 units. This is enough to launch pinpoint strikes on critical infrastructure facilities, but we see that they need to regain their strength after a missile attack.
In addition, stormy weather and gusty winds reduce the likelihood of them using kamikaze drones."
A significant deficit remains in the power system of Ukraine, the most challenging situation in Odesa Oblast.
The consumption rate in the power grid has slightly decreased as of the morning of 28 January; however, electricity shortage remains significant, with the most difficult situation being observed in Odesa Oblast.
"The Russian attack on 26 January caused significant damage to several high-voltage network facilities. As a result, electricity production at the operating power plants cannot fully cover demand.
All regional power distribution companies have been notified of consumption limits that are in force throughout the day. We remind you that each regional power distribution company in its oblast draws up schedules of planned hourly power outages that should ensure the consumption of oblast at the level of the approved limit,"- Ukrenergo reported.