Operation 'Forrest Gump'
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), together with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), announced on August 19, 2026 a special operation to uncover a criminal organization. The group is suspected of including current and former members of parliament, high-ranking officials from the Presidential Office, and other individuals. The operation has been code-named 'Forrest Gump.'
Search activities are now underway involving MP Vadym Stolar, who belongs to the currently banned party 'Opposition Platform — For Life,' and Iryna Mudra, deputy head of the Presidential Office. Ukrainska Pravda, citing sources, reported that searches target both Stolar and Mudra. NABU also released a 47-second teaser video on its Facebook page containing audio recordings of unidentified men.
Names and accusations
According to ZN.UA, those listed as participants in the operation include:
- Iryna Mudra
- Vadym Stolar
- former MP Maksym Mykytas
- officials of the Ministry of Justice
- representatives of Sens Bank
At the same time, NABU is reportedly preparing a new suspicion notice for Andriy Yermak, the former head of the Presidential Office. Yermak has already received a suspicion in the case of four mansions built in Kozyn and combined into the cooperative 'Dynasty.' That suspicion falls under Part 3 of Article 209 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, which concerns legalization of criminal proceeds.
In an official statement, NABU representatives said:
NABU and SAPO are carrying out an operation against a criminal organization led by a current and a former people's deputy of Ukraine, with the participation of high-ranking officials of the Presidential Office and other persons.
In a separate comment, Inna Vedernikova noted:
Based on the limited public information and statements from sources, NABU is working on Yermak not only in the 'Dynasty' case. This time the allegations seem to involve illicit enrichment rather than money laundering.
The 'Forrest Gump' operation marks an increased push by Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies against highly placed officials. It could become an important step in strengthening institutional integrity and public confidence, while signaling to society and international partners that Ukraine remains committed to clearing corruption from its institutions. The announcement sends another signal that Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions are pressing ahead with high-level investigations despite the country's ongoing challenges.
As the investigation unfolds, the involvement of both current and former lawmakers in this alleged criminal network raises significant concerns about corruption at the highest levels of government. For a deeper understanding of the implications of these revelations and the connections between the implicated officials, see our detailed report on the criminal organization exposed by NABU.