Zelensky dismisses aide amid corruption investigation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed a senior aide on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, amid a new corruption investigation, a move that deepened a period of intense political turmoil just one day after his former defense minister publicly called for wartime elections. The developments highlight growing internal pressures on Zelensky’s government as the war with Russia enters its fifth year.

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) announced it was conducting an operation to expose a criminal organization allegedly led by lawmakers and involving high-ranking officials from the presidential office. The agency stated the investigation focused on allegations of money laundering connected to a multimillion-dollar bail payment in a previous major corruption case. While NABU did not name the suspects, opposition lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko confirmed searches were taking place at the office of Iryna Mudra, Zelensky’s deputy chief of staff. Hours later, Zelensky issued a decree removing Mudra from her position. The presidential office did not provide an explanation for her dismissal.

The investigation adds to a summer of political upheaval in Kyiv. Zelensky has...