Investigation begins into suspicion of money laundering involving high-ranking officials of the Ukrainian President's Office

Ukraine's anti-corruption authorities have launched an investigation into suspicions of money laundering involving a senior official in the President's Office and a sitting lawmaker.

According to AP and Reuters on the 19th (local time), Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Prosecutor's Office for Anti-Corruption (SAPO) issued a statement saying, "We are conducting an operation to uncover a criminal organization involving high-ranking officials of the President's Office."

He added, “It is presumed that a former or current lawmaker leads this organization.”

These organizations are suspected of laundering $3.35 million (approximately 4.6 billion won) used to pay bail in energy-related corruption cases. Authorities said, “Detailed information will be released later.” Immediately after the investigative authorities' statement was released on this day, the Ukrainian President's Office dismissed Deputy Chief of Staff Romaniuna Mudra.

Attention is being paid to what effect this investigation will have on the position of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has recently suffered from negative news.

In May, former chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who was close to President Zelensky, was indicted on money laundering charges, which were analyzed as a blow to President Zelensky's political standing.

After being dismissed after a conflict with the military establishment, former Defense Minister Mykhail Fedorov, a critic of President Zelenskyy, also emerged as a burden to the regime.

Former Minister Fedorov said in a YouTube video the day before, "Democracy should not be held hostage by Russia," and "We must find a legal, safe, and realistic way for Ukraine to resume full democratic procedures even in a prolonged war."

In fact, this was interpreted as a presidential challenge aimed at President Zelensky. President Zelenskyy, who took office in May 2019, expired in May 2024, but continues to remain in office without holding a presidential election due to wartime martial law. In a recent opinion poll by the Ukrainian Social Research Center (Socis), former Minister Fedorov ranked second in trustworthiness as a politician.

Former Minister Fedorov's criticism came the day before as soon as President Zelenskyy nominated Acting Defense Minister Yeuhen Khmara as his successor. Former Minister Fedorow was offered a high-ranking position in the National Security and Defense Committee (NSDC) under the President, but he declined the offer, saying he only wanted to return to his ministerial position. Some citizens are still holding rallies and opposing the dismissal of Minister Fedorow.