Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies launched a major operation on Tuesday to expose a criminal organisation allegedly directed by current and former members of parliament, with high-ranking officials from the president's office implicated.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office carried out searches at the home of Iryny Mudra, a deputy head of the presidential office, and at the premises of Vadym Stolar, a lawmaker from the Opposition Platform — For Life party. Former lawmaker and property developer Maksym Mykytas is also implicated, along with justice ministry officials and representatives of Sense Bank.
The operation follows public protests last summer that successfully defended the independence of the anti-corruption bodies after legislative changes threatened their autonomy. In December, five lawmakers from President Zelenskyy's Servant of the People faction were charged with accepting cash in exchange for votes.