Fedorov Says Zelensky Has Questions to Answer Over Ukraine Corruption Probe

Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov told the BBC that Volodymyr Zelensky should explain what he knew about alleged corruption among people close to him. Fedorov did not accuse the president of personal corruption, but argued that the investigation creates legitimate questions for Zelensky to answer.

What Fedorov said about Zelensky

Fedorov’s message was deliberately narrower than an allegation against Zelensky himself. He said the president should be questioned about whether he knew of possible wrongdoing within his administration, while indicating that his own experience did not lead him to accuse Zelensky personally.

That distinction matters: the available reporting describes investigations into officials and associates around the presidential office, not a finding that Zelensky was involved. In a separate investigation involving former chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies clarified that Zelensky himself was not implicated in that case. 2

What the UAH150 million investigation alleges

Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office say they uncovered an alleged scheme involving lawmakers, officials and senior figures connected to state-owned Sense Bank. Investigators say about UAH150 million—approximately $3.3 million—was laundered and used to post bail for former energy minister Herman Halushchenko.

The case is linked in reporting to a broader investigation into alleged kickbacks at Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear-power company. The allegations concern suspected criminal conduct; they are not proof of guilt, and the defendants’ legal cases remain unresolved.

What role is Iryna Mudra accused of playing?

Investigators identified Iryna Mudra, a former deputy head of the Office of the President, among the people allegedly involved in arranging the bail funds. Reporting says she was responsible for judicial affairs and judicial reform and was expected to help raise money for Halushchenko’s bail. Zelensky dismissed her after the investigation became public.

The investigation also names other political and banking figures. NABU says part of the money was routed through Sense Bank and moved through accounts linked to companies allegedly controlled by participants in the scheme.

Why the allegations have become a political test

The probe has intensified scrutiny of Zelensky’s inner circle at a time when Ukraine is fighting Russia and depending on continued Western military support. A separate money-laundering investigation has also focused on Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s former chief of staff. Ukrainian authorities named Yermak a suspect, and a court later ordered his detention pending proceedings; Yermak denies the allegations. 234

For Fedorov, the issue is not only legal accountability but also public trust. He argued that Zelensky must address whether he knew about alleged wrongdoing by senior associates, rather than allowing the question to remain unanswered.

How Fedorov’s dismissal and election call fit in

Fedorov’s interview followed his unexpected removal as defence minister. His dismissal, after reported friction with Ukraine’s military leadership, prompted protests in Kyiv and other cities. The episode exposed a rare wartime rift between Zelensky and a popular minister associated with military modernization and drone warfare.

After leaving office, Fedorov called for Ukraine to find a lawful and practical way to hold presidential elections during the war. He said democracy should not be held “hostage” by Russia and argued that Ukraine should be able to defend itself while remaining a democracy.

Zelensky has resisted that demand. Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia’s full-scale invasion, and elections have been suspended. The BBC noted practical obstacles including voting by soldiers, displaced Ukrainians and people living in occupied areas, as well as the risk of Russian disinformation.

Zelensky’s office also criticized Fedorov’s intervention, pointing to the fact that he had served in governments led by Zelensky since 2019. The disagreement therefore combines two separate disputes: whether wartime elections can be organized fairly, and whether the president has adequately addressed corruption allegations involving people in his political orbit.

What is established—and what is not

The clearest conclusion from Fedorov’s remarks is a demand for accountability, not a direct accusation that Zelensky participated in corruption. The UAH150 million case remains an allegation under investigation, while the separate Yermak case has also produced accusations and court proceedings rather than a final verdict. 23

That legal uncertainty does not eliminate the political problem. Allegations involving senior officials can damage confidence in wartime leadership, raise questions about oversight of state institutions and sharpen disagreements over how Ukraine’s government should operate while the war continues. Fedorov’s position is that Zelensky must answer those questions publicly; Zelensky’s position is that elections during the conflict could create a dangerous and divisive crisis.