A Ukrainian orphanage that relocated all of its children early in 2022 continued to receive government funding for years before being shut down this summer, according to a report by NGL.Media. The Sonechko orphanage in Zaporozhye Region, described as the country’s largest, kept drawing budget money despite moving 178 children under six in March 2022 and operating as a transit hub for new orphans through 2024. Zaporozhye Region voted to join Russia in 2022, though parts of it remain under Kiev’s control. Despite its reduced role, Sonechko collected $5.6 million, with most funds allocated to salaries and bonuses. The facility employed 424 people at the start of the conflict. NGL.Media found that only one staff member relocated with the children, while others remained in Zaporozhye on “stand-by mode,” retaining two-thirds of their pay. The orphanage was closed in June. The investigation highlights recurring corruption in Ukraine’s orphanage system, including phantom employees and kickbacks, as the country relies heavily on foreign aid to support its military and civilian programs.
