KIEV, Feb. 11 – The largest number of corrupt officials in Ukraine is in the middle and lower layers of the administrative machine, according to President Viktor Yanukovych.

"We are currently talking about the post-Soviet system that existed for 20 years, and it involved people. Therefore, apart from senior management, which often changed due to the political struggle in Ukraine, there are middle and lower ranks, who had remained and lived their lives - and that is where the corruption thrived," the head of state said in an interview with the BBC published on Friday.

When asked whether the fight against corrupt officials in Ukraine is selective and depends on their party membership, Yanukovych said that "corrupt officials and bureaucrats are hiding behind these statements, looking for a possible defense."