In brief
Ruslan Kravchenko, Ukraine’s chief prosecutor, resigned following an anti‑corruption probe that linked his office to a money‑laundering network. Investigators found the network funnelled funds to protect call‑centres that ran phone scams, which then laundered millions of hryvnia into property and luxury goods. The resignation comes as Ukraine grapples with persistent corruption scandals that threaten its EU‑candidate status and raises doubts about President Volodymyr Zelensky’s commitment to reform.
Ruslan Kravchenko, Ukraine’s chief prosecutor, has stepped down after anti‑corruption investigators uncovered a money‑laundering scheme linked to his office. The network supposedly protected illegal call‑centres that ran phone‑scams and laundered millions of hryvnia into property, jewellery and other valuables, according to the National Anti‑Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti‑Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP).
In a resignation letter, Kravchenko said he did not want his position to be used as a “tool for political confrontation” and recalled his earlier denials of the allegations. He thanked President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian parliament for their "trust" before stepping down. The president has yet to issue a public statement.
Corruption scandals have plagued Kyiv since the war began, with several members of Zelensky’s inner circle facing accusations. The NABU was created over a decade ago to combat corruption, but ongoing scandals—including a recent $3 million misappropriation scheme involving a former energy minister—highlight the challenges.
Last year, protests erupted after Zelensky’s attempts to curb the independence of NABU and SAP, prompting a backlash from European partners who warned that such moves could jeopardise Ukraine’s EU integration. In response, Zelensky reinstated the bodies’ independence, yet questions remain about the nation’s anti‑corruption commitment.
Former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who has repeatedly called for greater accountability, noted that the president should be questioned about his awareness of potential corruption among his closest aides. Fedorov added that, during his tenure, he “did not receive any assignment that would go against law or integrity.”
Source: Reuters
