Ukraine appoints new acting prosecutor general after corruption scandal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Anton Kovalskyi as acting prosecutor general after the resignation of Ruslan Kravchenko, whose office has been drawn into an anti-corruption investigation. The move comes as Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies examine allegations linked to illegal call centres and suspected money laundering. It is the latest governance challenge to emerge during the war with Russia.

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Kovalskyi, 42, was appointed on Thursday to replace Kravchenko, who stepped down last week after searches of his offices by anti-corruption officials. According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, investigators identified a network in Kravchenko's office that received money to protect call centres involved in phone scams and to launder millions in assets. Officials said the funds were then used to buy property, jewellery and other valuables.

Kravchenko rejected the allegations and described them as completely unsubstantiated. Kravchenko resigned a day after denying any involvement and before leaving Ukraine. He also alleged that documents were stolen during the search of his office in an effort to cover up criminal investigations against anti-corruption officials.

He separately accused the head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, Semen Kryvonos, of forging documents in a case nearly 20 years ago. Both anti-corruption bodies denied his claims, while Kryvonos dismissed them as nonsense and said there were fierce attempts to disrupt corruption probes. The case matters because it touches one of the most sensitive issues facing Ukraine during wartime: public trust in state institutions.

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Anti-corruption agencies have been central to efforts to show that investigations can reach senior officials, even as the country continues to rely on international support. The allegations also come amid wider scrutiny of figures close to Zelensky, including former senior officials, which adds political pressure to the government. Nabu and Sap said the investigation into Kravchenko's office was part of an unprecedented campaign aimed at disrupting high-profile cases they were pursuing.

Kryvonos also said anti-corruption detectives, their offices and vehicles were under surveillance, although he did not provide specific accusations. The agencies are currently investigating a number of top Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky's former chief of staff Andriy Yermak, former ministers and other influential people. Yermak's lawyer has described the allegations against him as baseless.

What remains unclear is how far the investigation into Kravchenko's office will go and whether it will lead to further charges or wider institutional changes. It is also not clear whether the claims made by Kravchenko about document theft or alleged forgery will be pursued. For now, the appointment of Kovalskyi signals an attempt to stabilise the prosecutor general's office while the anti-corruption probe continues.

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