Corruption Crisis Shakes Kyiv: Zelensky Ousts Prosecutor General

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky removed Prosecutor General Ruslan Khrapchenko from his post yesterday (Monday), in the latest development of a corruption crisis and mounting clash between the Office of the Prosecutor General and Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies.

The presidential decree No. 905/2026 stated, “Removal of Ruslan Andriyovych Khrapchenko from the position of Prosecutor General,” following days after Khrapchenko submitted his resignation amid investigations targeting officials within the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office.

Khrapchenko had submitted his resignation on September 7, after anti-corruption agencies launched an investigation into allegations involving staff members in his office linked to a fraud and money laundering scheme tied to fraudulent call centers. Khrapchenko denied any personal involvement in the misconduct and described his resignation as a political decision aimed at preventing the conflict from turning into a political confrontation.

The move coincided with intensifying tensions between the Office of the Prosecutor General and Ukraine’s specialized anti-corruption bodies, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).

In a notable development, Khrapchenko announced yesterday that he had taken action against NABU head Semen Kryvonos, accusing him of violations—claims denied by anti-corruption agencies, which confirmed that the bureau’s head had not officially received any notification of suspicion against him.

This escalation prompted Zelensky to demand Khrapchenko’s removal, emphasizing that his continued presence in office was no longer feasible and calling on parliament to swiftly approve his dismissal. The Ukrainian president had already submitted a request to parliament for approval to end the prosecutor general’s term, and parliament announced that a vote on the request is scheduled for today (Tuesday).

The current crisis traces back to Operation ‘Carthage’ conducted by anti-corruption agencies, which, according to Ukrainian authorities, uncovered suspicions of involvement by a senior official in the Prosecutor General’s Office in activities linked to fraudulent call centers and money laundering. Investigations indicate the scheme involved illicit funds and attempts to launder proceeds through assets and accounts connected to other individuals.

Khrapchenko’s removal comes at a time when Ukraine’s government faces increasing pressure to demonstrate the effectiveness of its anti-corruption institutions, amid ongoing war and Kyiv’s efforts to strengthen its path toward EU membership and maintain international support.

Independent anti-corruption bodies, especially NABU and SAPO, are a cornerstone of Ukraine’s reform commitments; however, their rising influence in recent years has led to frequent clashes with state institutions and high-ranking officials.