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Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) said Wednesday they were conducting a special operation to expose an alleged criminal organization involving current and former lawmakers as well as senior officials from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office.
The agencies said on Telegram that the alleged organization involved current and former members of Ukraine’s parliament and senior officials from Zelenskyy’s office.
“A special operation to expose a criminal organization is underway,” NABU and SAPO said.
They did not identify those allegedly involved or specify the offenses under investigation, saying more information would be released later.
Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform reported that NABU and SAPO investigators were conducting searches at the residence of Irina Mudra, deputy head of Zelenskyy’s office.
The investigation poses a fresh challenge for Zelenskyy after ousted Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for wartime elections in a statement late Tuesday.
The probe comes amid renewed criticism over governance and corruption in Ukraine.
Fedorov said the country was facing a systemic governance crisis and called for elections, arguing that corruption was a symptom of broader problems in how Ukraine was being governed.
Lawmakers were expected to vote Wednesday on the appointment of Yevhenii Khmara, a former top special forces operative, as Ukraine’s new defense minister after weeks of political turmoil over Fedorov’s ouster.
Fedorov’s removal sent thousands of protesters into the streets in rare wartime demonstrations over the past month, with demonstrators demanding that Zelenskyy reinstate the 35-year-old defense innovator, who is credited with trying to reform the ministry.
The crisis also forced Zelenskyy to replace Ukraine’s top military commander with the younger Mykhailo Drapatyi, who was backed by protesters for his more troop-friendly approach.
Supporters hope Drapatyi’s approach will help reduce losses on the front line.
NABU and SAPO are Ukraine’s main specialized anti-corruption bodies.
Their investigations have at times involved senior government officials and lawmakers, making any probe involving Zelenskyy’s office particularly politically sensitive.
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have waged a high-profile campaign against graft while Kyiv’s military fights Russia.
They say the campaign is critical to preparing Ukraine for membership in the European Union.
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