Ukraine Intelligence and Prosecutor Chiefs Dismissed for Treason Allegations... "Evidence of Collaboration with Russia Revealed"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It has been reported that the head of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) and the Prosecutor General were dismissed after being found guilty of treason for collaborating with Russia.

On the 17th (local time), the Office of the President of Ukraine announced through its official website that President Volodymyr Zelensky issued an administrative order on the same day to dismiss SBU Chief Ivan Bakanov and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova. President Zelensky explained via Telegram, "A large number of allegations of collaboration with Russia have surfaced within the SBU and the prosecution organizations, leading to the dismissal of high-ranking government officials."

President Zelensky emphasized, "Criminal proceedings are underway regarding 651 charges of treason and collaboration against employees of the two institutions. This series of crimes against the foundation of national security raises serious questions about the leaders of these institutions, and appropriate responses will follow each of these concerns."

In particular, the treason charges against Bakanov, who is known as a longtime friend of President Zelensky, have shocked both inside and outside Ukraine. He was a former business partner of Zelensky and a close friend who campaigned alongside him. When Zelensky took office in 2019, he appointed Bakanov as the head of the SBU under the pretext of a major reform of the agency. At that time, there was criticism within Ukraine that Bakanov’s background was not suitable for leading an intelligence agency.

Additionally, President Zelensky also reported that Oleg Kulinich, the former head of the SBU’s Crimean branch, was detained the previous day on charges of treason. He stated that the decision to dismiss Kulinich early in the Russian invasion was correct and that sufficient evidence of treason has been gathered. Kulinich was known to have been an advisor to Bakanov, who was dismissed on the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.