Ukrainian President Zelensky fires spy chief, top prosecutor

Zelensky made the announcement in response to hundreds of criminal treason proceedings being opened up against prosecutor's office employees.

By Madeleine Hubbard

Published: July 18, 2022 9:27am

Updated: July 18, 2022 1:34pm

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shook up his government Sunday by firing his country's prosecutor general and its chief of domestic intelligence and security.

The top-ranking government officials were close allies of Zelensky, but in a video posted to Telegram, the president explained that he has lost faith in their leadership nearly five months into Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Zelensky dismissed Security Service chief Ivan Bakanov, a childhood friend who helped lead his presidential campaign, and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who served as his foreign affairs adviser during his presidential race.

More than 650 criminal treason proceedings have been opened up against prosecutor's office employees, Zelensky stated.

Over 60 employees from the prosecutor's office and Ukraine's Security Service remain in the territory occupied by Russia and are now working against Ukraine, he said.

"Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the national security of the state ... pose very serious questions [about] the relevant leadership," Zelensky wrote. "Each of these questions will receive a proper answer."