Probe into Ruslan Kravchenko’s Departure Abroad
The official inquiry into former Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko’s overseas trip has been finalized. Findings indicate that Kravchenko likely forged and personally signed a travel order, using the official seal of the Prosecutor General’s Office. He left the country in a Mercedes owned by a Lviv-based logistics company, declining state security protection. This investigation is connected to the 'Carthage' case, where the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) uncovered a criminal group led by an official within the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Details Surrounding the Forged Order and Exit
The preparation for Kravchenko’s departure began on September 11, when he took the official seal from the head of the State Secrets Protection Department at the Prosecutor General’s Office. He was at work on Saturday, September 12, and on Sunday, September 13, he personally visited the Prosecutor General’s Office. The international department did not issue any travel order for him. Officially, his trip was justified by an invitation addressed to Deputy Prosecutor General Viktor Lohachov to attend a Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe meeting. However, the international department had informed the organizers that the Ukrainian side could not participate due to the official’s unavailability. Kravchenko exploited this invitation as a pretext to leave the country.
The Prosecutor General’s Office staff learned of Kravchenko’s departure and the likely forgery on the morning of Monday, September 14. A check of his office uncovered the official seal and an envelope containing the signed travel order. The Human Resources Department registered the order without knowing its fraudulent origin. Anton Kovalsky, who accepted Kravchenko’s resignation, described the former official’s actions as a disgraceful breach of discipline that warranted dismissal by the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of Prosecutors (QDCP).
“Why did I accept his resignation so quickly? Because, in my view, Ukrainian society should not have to wait for the QDCP’s decision.” – Anton Kovalsky
Notably, Kravchenko’s actions did not cause financial harm to the Prosecutor General’s Office. Legal assessments of the circumstances are underway by NABU and SAPO within ongoing criminal proceedings. Investigations into the criminal organization led by an official from the Prosecutor General’s Office began on September 4. On September 5, NABU and SAPO announced the exposure of a group involved in receiving and laundering funds from fraudulent call centers. This organization was established in mid-2025 and included prosecutors and their associates. On September 6, the High Anti-Corruption Court ordered detention with a 120 million UAH bail alternative for Serhiy Kropyva, Deputy Head of the International Cooperation Department at the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Kravchenko has denied involvement in covering up the fraudulent call centers. SAPO prosecutors noted that Kropyva may have coordinated repair work at Kravchenko’s residence in Kozyn. On September 15, the Verkhovna Rada officially removed Kravchenko from the Prosecutor General position, following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s suspension of his duties the day before. Kravchenko left Ukraine in an official vehicle and has not returned since.
This case highlights significant challenges with transparency and ethics within Ukrainian government bodies. The ongoing investigation could have profound implications for law enforcement agencies, especially amid Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts. Kravchenko’s case is not isolated; similar incidents risk eroding public trust in state institutions if not thoroughly addressed and sanctioned. Authorities continue to pursue the investigation, which may reveal further details about illicit networks inside the Prosecutor General’s Office.