Video evidence and the start of the special operation
On August 19, 2026, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) officially announced the launch of a large-scale special operation codenamed 'Forrest Gump'. The investigation aimed to expose a criminal organization operating within the highest echelons of power. To substantiate their claims, law enforcement officials published a 47-second video clip recorded during operational surveillance.
In the footage provided by RBK-Ukraine, the subjects allegedly discuss mechanisms for transferring funds and mention the President's Office (PO). Although full details of the investigation will be released later, the mere publication of the intercepts indicates that the investigation has sufficient evidence to begin active operations.
Who led the scheme: MPs and PO officials
According to official statements by NABU and SAPO, the hierarchy of the criminal group was structured vertically. The organization was allegedly led by current and former People's Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. High-ranking officials of the President's Office were integrated into the scheme, suggesting a systemic nature of corruption affecting key levers of state governance.
Key figures: from Mudra to Nikitasy
During the morning events of August 19, media reports emerged regarding specific figures. People's Deputy Alexey Goncharenko reported searches conducted at the residence of the Deputy Head of the President's Office, Irina Mudra. Simultaneously, Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak hinted that a current MP with ties to the construction business ('MP-developer') was at the center of attention. According to RBK-Ukraine sources, People's Deputy Vadym Stolar and former MP Maksym Nikitasy are also on the list of suspects.
Contradictory data
Currently, there are discrepancies between official statements by law enforcement and comments by politicians. While NABU and SAPO use generalized formulations in their statements ('current and former MPs', 'PO officials'), representatives of the parliamentary corps (Zheleznyak, Goncharenko) name specific surnames. An official comment from law enforcement regarding the exact list of detained or searched individuals was not provided at the time of the video publication, creating an information vacuum filled with speculation.
Context and significance of the investigation
Operation 'Forrest Gump' became one of the most significant events of August 2026 in Ukrainian politics. The operation's name likely alludes to the complexity and multi-layered nature of the scheme, where the subjects, like the hero of the eponymous film, find themselves at the center of events they cannot control. The publication of video evidence demonstrates NABU's readiness to work publicly with materials from investigative activities to neutralize the influence of corrupt groups on state institutions.
