Today, Robert P. Storch, the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Defense and the Special Inspector General for Operation Atlantic Resolve, released the second quarterly report to the United States Congress on Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR). The report summarizes U.S. programs and operations related to the U.S. Government’s response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine from January 1 through March 31, 2024. It also describes the oversight work of the DoD, U.S. Department of State (State), and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Offices of Inspectors General (OIG), the Government Accountability Office, and the other members the Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group.
“Working hand in glove with our oversight partners, we are committed to ensuring comprehensive oversight over all aspects of American taxpayer resources provided in support of Ukraine,” said IG Storch. “Earlier this year, my counterparts and I traveled to Ukraine and other countries in the region to witness firsthand the progress made and challenges ahead. During this quarter, we launched UkraineOversight.gov to increase transparency for the American public regarding U.S. assistance to Ukraine and our robust oversight over it. Ensuring whole-of-government oversight under wartime conditions is a challenge our offices have risen to meet, and we are increasing our staffing in-country to ensure we are able to do so in the future.”
Funding: This report outlines the financial assistance appropriated for Ukraine and its partners, totaling $113 billion as of the end of the quarter, to counter Russia's full-scale invasion. The aid includes security and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, as well as security assistance to NATO allies and other partners, funding to support the U.S. military presence in Europe, and the replenishment of military stocks provided to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The report also details the U.S. Government's efforts to assist Ukraine in combating corruption through technical assistance and training for investigators and prosecutors.
Investigations and Hotline Activity: The DoD, State, and USAID OIGs work together to prevent misuse of U.S. funds in Ukraine. During the quarter, our law enforcement arms initiated 12 and closed two investigations related to fraud, corruption, theft, program irregularities, and counter-proliferation of technology. The DoD, State, and USAID OIGs also established a Ukraine Fraud and Corruption Investigative Working Group to coordinate with other law enforcement partners. The three IGs each maintain their own hotline to receive complaints specific to their agency. During the quarter, the DoD OIG Hotline received 20 allegations related to Ukraine, State OIG received 19, and USAID OIG received 24.
Defense Articles Monitoring: Federal law mandates enhanced end-use monitoring (EEUM) of certain defense equipment, including equipment that contains sensitive technology or otherwise is particularly susceptible to diversion, to promote accountability and, thereby, help prevent diversion, misuse, or threats to U.S. national security. Ukraine had received eight types of EEUM-designated defense articles as of the end of the quarter, with the DoD reporting 88% in compliance with EEUM requirements. However, 12% reportedly missed their inventory dates. The DoD OIG continues to conduct an ongoing series of evaluations examining the DoD efforts in this critical area, and to make recommendations for improvements.
During the quarter ending March 31, 2024, the DoD, State, and USAID OIGs issued 11 oversight reports, including three management advisories, related to OAR. Information regarding our coordinated oversight efforts, is available at UkraineOversight.gov.