---
title: "Corruption Investigation in Ukraine Reaches Zelenskyy — Economist"
description: "According to the Economist, anti-corruption investigations in Ukraine have come close to Zelenskyy: NABU opened a new money laundering case, and his deputy chief of staff was fired after audio recordings were published."
date: 2026-11-09T22:23:40.186Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/corruption-investigation-ukraine-reaches-zelenskyy
tags: []
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Corruption Investigation in Ukraine Reaches Zelenskyy — Economist

![Portrait of a man against a blue digital screen background](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/09/novoe-rassledovanie-korrupcii-na-ukraine/novoe-rassledovanie-korrupcii-na-ukraine-1.webp)

## Key Points

- NABU opened a new money laundering case involving deputies and officials
- Following the publication of audio recordings featuring Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Iryna Mudra, a decree on her dismissal was signed
- According to the Economist, the investigations indicate Zelenskyy's loss of influence over anti-corruption agencies

A new anti-corruption investigation has unfolded in Ukraine, which, according to the *Economist*, has come extremely close to the country's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is reported by Russian media citing material from the British publication, as well as the BBC, which dedicated a separate report to the topic with a headline about the new corruption investigation in Ukraine.

### New NABU Money Laundering Case

As clarified in the materials, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has opened a new criminal case on money laundering involving deputies and officials. According to available information, in parallel, NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) are conducting a special operation to expose a criminal organization that included employees of the President's Office; the group, as indicated, operated under the leadership of former and current members of the Ukrainian parliament.

### Audio Recordings and Dismissal of the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office

During the investigation, audio recordings were published mentioning Iryna Mudra, who served as the deputy head of Zelenskyy's office. Following the release of the recordings, a decree on her dismissal was reportedly signed. These events became one of the key episodes pointed out by the *Economist* in its analysis.

### Loss of Influence Over Anti-Corruption Agencies

The publication emphasizes that the fact that investigators from anti-corruption agencies have come this close to the head of state is «astounding». According to the authors of the material, conducting new investigations indicates that Zelenskyy has lost his previous ability to influence the work of anti-corruption structures.

### Context: Ukraine in the Global Corruption Perceptions Index

Meanwhile, in February 2026, Transparency International updated the Corruption Perceptions Index, recording dynamics across countries, including Ukraine. The organization previously noted that in a number of states with deteriorating indicators, restrictions on freedom of speech, association, and assembly are observed; open reviews on Ukraine mentioned improvements in certain indicators.

Thus, the new NABU investigation and related personnel decisions within the president's entourage are becoming the focus of international and Russian media. Final conclusions in the case, as in similar cases, will depend on the investigation results and the courts' stance.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Новое расследование о коррупции в Украине](https://www.bbc.com/russian/watch/cqe8r8ze59e6o) - Подтверждено по источнику bbc.com
- [Economist: расследование коррупции на Украине подошло крайне близко к Зеленскому](https://www.kp.ru/online/news/7132621/) - Подтверждено по источнику kp.ru
- [Economist: расследование коррупции близко подошло к Зеленскому на фоне нового дела НАБУ](https://1prime.ru/20260820/economist-872560176.html) - Подтверждено по источнику 1prime.ru
- [Проблемы у демократий Запада, улучшения в Украине, Россия между Зимбабве и Чадом — новый индекс ...](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%89%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE/20260210-transparency-international-%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B0-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8F%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BF%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B8) - Подтверждено по источнику rfi.fr

## FAQ

### What is new in the corruption investigation in Ukraine?

According to the Economist, NABU has opened a new money laundering case involving deputies and officials, and is also conducting a special operation with SAPO to expose a group from the Presidential Office entourage.

### Who do the published audio recordings concern?

The published audio recordings reportedly feature Iryna Mudra, deputy head of Zelenskyy's office; following the release of the recordings, a decree on her dismissal was reportedly signed.

### What does the Economist say about the president's influence on anti-corruption bodies?

The publication assesses that the new investigations indicate Zelenskyy has lost his previous opportunities to influence anti-corruption agencies.