Ukraine’s farm minister is the latest corruption suspect as Kyiv aims to undo recent Russian gains

By ILLIA NOVIKOV
Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Ukrainian court has ordered the detention of the country’s farm minister in the latest high-profile corruption investigation. The minister is suspected of unlawfully obtaining valuable land. Officials said he was released after paying bail. Ukraine is trying to root out corruption that has long dogged the country. And Kyiv security officials were assessing Friday how they can recover lost battlefield momentum in the war. Russia has been taking control of small settlements as part of its effort to drive deeper into eastern Ukraine despite sustaining high losses. Military analysts say it’s been slow going for the Kremlin’s troops in eastern Ukraine and is likely to stay that way. But the key hilltop town of Chasiv Yar is vulnerable to the Russian onslaught.