Fedor Khristenko Loses Parliamentary Seat
On February 3, 2026, Ukrainian MP Fedir Khristenko was stripped of his parliamentary mandate following a criminal conviction. The action was taken in accordance with Article 81, Part 2, Paragraph 2 of the Ukrainian Constitution. Khristenko, an independent deputy, was originally elected in 2019 as a member of the 'Opposition Platform — For Life' party. Since the start of the Verkhovna Rada's ninth convocation in late August 2019, a total of 66 deputies have lost their seats.
Charges and Consequences
Khristenko was convicted of state treason, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons under martial law, and abuse of influence. In early December 2025, Kyiv's Pechersk District Court approved a plea deal in which the deputy pleaded guilty. The full text of the court's verdict is currently sealed in the judicial register.
Khristenko had been in contact with Russian representatives since the autumn of 2014. He left Ukraine on February 14, 2022, and in March 2022 received instructions from Russian officials to gather information on Ukraine's socio-political climate and its international relations. During meetings with his Russian handler in Turkey in August 2024 and February 2025, the deputy passed on information concerning Ukraine's domestic political relations and the Ukrainian president's negotiating positions.
As of April 2, 2026, the Verkhovna Rada has 392 deputies. It is notable that besides Fedir Khristenko, MPs Andriy Odarchenko and Anatoliy Hunko have also lost their mandates based on court verdicts. This case is part of a broader pattern observed in Ukraine's parliament during its current term, reflecting ongoing judicial and political scrutiny of lawmakers' conduct.
The removal of Fedir Khristenko's mandate highlights significant issues within the Ukrainian parliament concerning ethics and legal compliance among its members.
This case underscores the critical need for oversight of parliamentary activity, especially under martial law, and is likely to influence public opinion regarding political parties and their representatives. The situation also points to wider systemic challenges of corruption and abuse of power in Ukraine, which require urgent resolution to restore public trust in state institutions.
The recent removal of Fedir Khristenko from the Ukrainian parliament underscores a troubling trend in the Verkhovna Rada, where a significant number of lawmakers have faced similar fates. This situation raises questions about how the dwindling number of deputies affects key legislative decisions and the overall stability of the government. For a deeper understanding of these implications, explore how Ukraine's shrinking parliamentary body impacts voting and mobilization.