President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired all the heads of Ukraine’s regional army recruitment centres in a sweeping anti-graft move as the war with Russia enters a critical stage.

Zelenskyy announced their dismissal in Kyiv on Friday, broadening his battle against corruption since Russia invaded Ukraine 18 months ago.

He said a state investigation into centres across Ukraine exposed abuses by officials ranging from illegal enrichment to transporting draft-eligible men across the border despite a wartime ban on them leaving the country.

Zelenskyy also said 112 criminal cases were opened against draft board officials suspected of taking bribes and engaging in corrupt practices.

He used harsh rhetoric likely to be welcomed by Ukrainians appalled by cases of wartime corruption.