Zelensky Suspends Prosecutor General Kravchenko Amid Criminal Network Exposure

Suspension of Ruslan Kravchenko

According to ХВИЛЯ: On September 14, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky removed Ruslan Kravchenko from his position as Prosecutor General following a scandal involving the uncovering of a criminal syndicate operating within the Prosecutor General's Office. Anton Kovalsky was appointed as the acting Prosecutor General. Earlier, on September 7, 2026, Kravchenko submitted his resignation after a meeting with the president; however, the Verkhovna Rada still needs to consider his dismissal based on the recommendation of the relevant parliamentary committee.

Unfolding Crisis in the Prosecutor General's Office

The turmoil began in early September 2026 when the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) exposed a criminal group that protected fraudulent call centers and laundered illicit assets. Among those implicated was Sergei Kropyva, an employee of the Prosecutor General's Office, whose offices were searched by investigators. Prosecutors revealed in court that Kropyva managed renovations at the Prosecutor General's residence in Kozyn, assisted with visa arrangements for the Prosecutor General’s wife, and organized a birthday event in Madrid.

The High Anti-Corruption Court ordered Kropyva to be held in custody but allowed bail set at 120 million hryvnias. Having led the Prosecutor General's Office since June 2025, Ruslan Kravchenko released a video statement on September 14, 2026, in which he signed a suspicion notice against NABU Director Semen Kryvonos and an associate close to the SAPO chief. In this message, Kravchenko accused anti-corruption agencies of stealing investigative materials related to their own staff. Notably, this video was published while Kravchenko was already abroad.

President Volodymyr Zelensky urged parliament to promptly dismiss Kravchenko, stating that "the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has only one option – to be removed from office."

The president emphasized that "Ukraine has witnessed all the reasons" justifying this decision and called on lawmakers to back the dismissal. Zelensky signed decree No. 905/2026 to suspend Kravchenko, citing the law "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law." This suspension does not equate to official dismissal, which requires approval by the Verkhovna Rada. The parliamentary committee responsible has already endorsed Kravchenko's removal.

This episode highlights deep-rooted challenges within Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions. The discovery of a criminal enterprise functioning inside a state body severely undermines public trust and calls for urgent reforms. Removing Kravchenko and potentially dismissing him through parliamentary action represent crucial steps toward restoring confidence in the Prosecutor General's Office and advancing the fight against corruption in Ukraine.

The recent developments in the Prosecutor General's Office have sparked significant political turmoil, culminating in the removal of Kravchenko by the parliament. This decision, prompted by the exposure of a criminal network, raises questions about the broader implications for Ukraine's fight against corruption and the integrity of its judicial system. As the situation unfolds, further insights into the political ramifications are essential for understanding the future landscape of governance in Ukraine.