Kravchenko’s Appointment as Prosecutor General and Its Impact on Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Agencies: Underlying Politics and Power Play
In May 2023, Ukraine experienced significant political shifts with the appointment of Ruslan Kravchenko as the General Prosecutor.
This appointment coincided with increased pressures on the country’s independent anti-corruption bodies, specifically the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP).
Emerging evidence and journalistic investigations suggest attempts to undermine the independence of these critical institutions through legislative amendments granting the Prosecutor General broad authority to decide their fate.
Reports indicate that Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, was instrumental in initiating this strategy aimed at weakening the autonomy of NABU and SAP.
Investigative materials about searches and seizures, notably concerning Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, reveal personal photos with the president and his family, possibly serving as leverage or blackmail tools for political influence.
Meanwhile, the planned transfer of criminal cases from NABU to bodies under the control of the Presidential Office signals a shift toward institutional domination.
These developments are accompanied by widespread speculation about political motives and potential abuse of power, threatening to erode public trust in Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts and skew the balance of influence towards executive control.