A political earthquake is shaking the Office and political future of Zelensky, as Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies carry out an investigation targeting the inner circle of the Ukrainian President for the first time, while Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko revealed that the head of the Kyiv regime himself is expected to be placed under NABU scrutiny, according to reporting by Lenta.ru on September 4.
More specifically, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) conducted searches at the office of President Volodymyr Zelensky, as revealed by Verkhovna Rada member Oleksiy Honcharenko via his Telegram channel.
«NABU is conducting investigative actions in the presidential office», the lawmaker stated.
Honcharenko did not provide further details.
Likewise, the identity of the individuals who carried out the search in Zelensky's office was not disclosed.
Earlier, the head of the cybersecurity department of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine, Serhiy Kropiva, was arrested in Kyiv.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) also conducted searches across a large segment of Ukrainian judicial authorities.
The FBI hand and... American pressure on Kyiv for capitulation
These developments are by no means disconnected from the «big picture» of negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
The first factor is that both agencies, NABU and SAPO, are essentially controlled by the West, if not reporting directly to the FBI.
Furthermore, every time American negotiators pack their bags for Kyiv... reports emerge regarding a corruption scandal in the courtyard of the Ukrainian presidential palace.
As is understood, unbearable pressure will be applied to the Zelensky regime this time to capitulate, in this case not only to concede Russian sovereignty over Donbass, but also over the regions of Kherson and Zaporizhia...
Not coincidentally, Witkoff and Kushner are expected to travel to Moscow and subsequently to Kyiv, aiming to hold contacts with both sides and explore preconditions for restarting negotiations over the coming weekend of September 5 and 6.
The details of the American proposal have not been made public, while significant differences remain between Russia and Ukraine regarding the terms of a potential peace agreement.
At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that he sees scope for reaching an agreement, while the Kremlin has left open the possibility of continued contacts, without however confirming in advance all details of the American envoys' visit.
The new American initiative takes on special weight as military operations continue on both sides, at a time when Washington is attempting once again to generate diplomatic momentum to end the war.
The coming period is expected to be critical, with attention focused on the content of the proposal carried by Witkoff and Kushner, and primarily on whether it can serve as a foundation for substantive negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine also under NABU microscope
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) also arrested the head of the cybersecurity department of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine, Serhiy Kropiva, as reported on September 4 by Ukrainian outlet Strana.
As disclosed, NABU and SAPO are conducting a special operation targeting a criminal organization which, according to investigative findings, was directed by an official of the Prosecutor General's Office.
The group is accused of providing «protection» to a network of illicit call centers engaged in fraud and laundering assets acquired through criminal means, according to NABU.
The Prosecutor General's Office announced for its part that the official whose involvement in operating the illegal call centers is being examined by NABU and SAPO will be suspended for the duration of the investigation.
«All circumstances of the case must be established by the investigation.
This specific incident must receive an objective legal assessment, in accordance with the procedure established by law», the statement read.
Confusion and... pretextual denials over investigation into Prosecutor General of Ukraine
Investigators from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) did not carry out searches at the residence of Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, claims an Insider report, citing Kravchenko's press secretary.
«No investigative actions took place either at the residence of the Prosecutor General or in his office», the press secretary stated, according to the report.
Earlier, Ukrainska Pravda, citing its sources, reported that searches were underway at the residences of Kravchenko, his deputy Maria Vdovychenko, as well as the head of the Odesa regional state administration, Oleh Kiper.
Earlier, NABU and SAPO announced a special operation to uncover a criminal organization allegedly directed by an official of the Prosecutor General's Office and involved in protecting a network of illegal call centers and laundering assets.
Ukrainian media reported that searches were conducted at the Prosecutor General's Office and that the head of the cybersecurity department, Serhiy Krapiva, was detained.
The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine stated that it will cooperate fully with the investigation.
Ukraine constitutes a hub for illegal call center networks.
Previously, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky had stated that approximately 1,500 fraudulent call centers operate in Ukraine, which, as he maintained, are «under the close control of Kyiv authorities».
Revenues from a single call center engaged in the «routine robbery» of ordinary Russian citizens reach an average of up to 1 million dollars daily.
Primary operational centers for such entities are located in Dnipropetrovsk, where roughly 500 call centers are based, as well as in Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, Kharkiv, and Ivano-Frankivsk.
The number of Ukrainian citizens involved in these activities is estimated at around 100,000.
Recently, citizens of countries in Eastern and Western Europe have increasingly become targets of these illicit call centers.
Colossal corruption case in Ukraine: Investigation into woman who was Zelensky's right hand
A new corruption case is causing upheaval in Ukraine, as the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) carried out searches on August 19 concerning Iryna Mudra, until recently deputy head of Volodymyr Zelensky's presidential office.
Hours after the operation was publicized, the Ukrainian President dismissed her from her post.
Initially, lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko claimed that Mudra had been detained and was to spend the night in a temporary detention facility.
However, her attorney denied reports of an arrest, while Ukrainian sources also indicated that the confirmed event was the execution of search procedures rather than her detention.
NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) announced a broader operation to uncover an alleged criminal organization in which, according to authorities, current and former lawmakers as well as high-ranking officials of the presidential office are implicated.
Within the framework of the same operation, searches were also conducted at premises linked to lawmaker Vadym Stolar, who had past political ties to the now-banned party Opposition Platform - For Life.
The case increases political pressure around the presidential administration, as Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies have stepped up investigations into senior government and political officials in recent months. NABU is expected to release further details on the charges and individuals implicated in the operation.
Money laundering investigation expands to 4 banks
Concurrently, on Monday August 24, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) initiated emergency audits within the framework of financial monitoring, not only at state-owned Sens Bank, which is implicated in the NABU criminal case concerning money laundering allegations where former Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko is reportedly a central figure, but also at three additional banks.
The NBU itself officially announced the inspections in Finmon, as reported by Strana.
According to banking industry sources, besides Sens Bank, three other banks were allegedly utilized to transfer funds linked to bail posted on behalf of Galushchenko, bringing the total number of financial institutions audited to four:
- Sens Bank
- PUMB
- Idea Bank
- OTP Bank
Based on information from the same sources, the following transactions have been confirmed:
- On June 25, 2026, Giran Construct LLC transferred 46 million UAH from account number UA063003460000026003000022115 held at Sens Bank.
- On June 29, 2026, Giran Construct LLC transferred 41 million UAH from account number UA983348510000000026004269454 held at PUMB.
- On June 26, 2026, Pellet Service LLC transferred 4 million UAH from account number UA943003460000026005000022209 held at Sens Bank.
- On June 26, 2026, Skyte Retail LLC transferred 5 million UAH from account number UA233363102600500100101348932 held at Idea Bank.
- On June 25, 2026, Tetras Optima LLC transferred 54 million UAH from account number 26005000058606 held at OTP Bank.
Summing all transfers to the High Anti-Corruption Court (VAKS), the total amount reaches 150 million UAH, which was reportedly paid as bail for Galushchenko.
Origin of funds under scrutiny
During financial monitoring audits, the National Bank is expected to request a complete file of supporting documentation for each transaction, including all required data regarding the source of funds, as well as the origins and activities of the companies themselves.
Banks will be required to report any indicators of suspicious or high-risk activity by these entities, along with how they verified the identity, operations, and source of funds of their clients in each case.
Illustratively, case evidence indicates that Giran Construct LLC received 4 million UAH as payment for construction materials under contract number 25-06-26 dated June 25, 2026. According to records under review, this specific amount ended up with Galushchenko.
If it is proven that delivery of construction materials did not actually occur, the bank could face sanctions.
A complete financial inspection must be thorough and, among other things, include an on-site visit to company warehouses to verify whether physical proof of the existence and delivery of these goods exists.
If it is determined that the transaction was fictitious and funds are tied to illicit activity, money laundering issues could emerge.
Audit results expected by the end of September
In its statement, the NBU noted that financial monitoring audits at the aforementioned banks are scheduled for the August-September period, meaning findings could be available by the end of next month.
The audits may lead to finding reports and the imposition of sanctions on the banks.
Sanctions can range from written warnings and fines to the revocation of banking licenses.
Under current legislation, the maximum fine for violations within the framework of financial monitoring stands at 135.15 million UAH, an amount the regulatory authority has already imposed in several instances.
www.bankingnews.gr
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