The chief prosecutor and the head of the nation’s security service were fired by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday in the country’s biggest political reorganization since the beginning of Russia’s invasion over five months ago.
Iryna Venediktova, the prosecutor general, and Ivan Bakanov, the security chief, were both fired, according to Zelensky, because there had been numerous instances of alleged treachery by Ukrainian law enforcement officers.
In his daily speech to the country, Zelensky stated, “Today, I decided to relieve the prosecutor general and the head of Ukraine’s security agency of their duties.
Zelensky said over 650 cases of suspected treason and aiding and abetting Russia by Ukrainian security officials are currently being investigated, including 60 cases of officials who have remained in territories occupied by Russia and are working against Ukraine.
“Such a great number of crimes against the foundations of national security and the connections established between Ukrainian law enforcement officials and Russian special services pose very serious questions to the relevant leaders,” Zelensky said.
“Each such question will be answered.”
In response to allegations that Russian forces invading Ukraine committed atrocities in the town of Bucha outside of Kiev, Venediktova oversaw Ukraine’s investigation.
