Ukrainian anti-corruption probe targets Zelensky office after ex-defence minister urges elections

Ukrainian anti‑corruption agencies announced on Wednesday that they have opened investigations into senior officials within President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office. The probe comes a day after the country’s recently dismissed defence minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, publicly urged the scheduling of national elections despite the ongoing war with Russia, a move that has been described as a political distraction amid the conflict’s fifth year. The anti‑corruption bodies said the inquiries will focus on alleged abuses of power and financial misconduct, though they have not disclosed the identities of the officials under scrutiny.

The developments arrive at a sensitive moment for Kyiv, as the war effort continues to dominate the national agenda and international support. France 24’s International Affairs Editor Philip Turle noted that the investigations could further strain the president’s administration and shift attention away from military priorities. Authorities have pledged to conduct the inquiries transparently, emphasizing that anti‑corruption measures remain a core component of Ukraine’s governance even as it confronts external aggression.