The two dismissed officials are Prosecutor General Irina Venediktova and the head of the State Security Service (SBU) Ivan Bakanov, a long-time associate of the president. Zelensky said many officials in both departments were suspected of treason. “To date, 651 criminal prosecutions have been registered regarding treason and cooperation activities of prosecutors, pre-trial bodies and other law enforcement agencies,” he said. “In particular, more than 60 employees of the Prosecutor’s Office and the Security Service of Ukraine remained in the occupied territories and are working against our state.” Explaining his decision to remove Venediktova and Bakanov, Zelensky said: “Such a series of crimes against the foundations of national security of the state and the connections identified between the employees of the security forces of Ukraine and the special services of Russia are very serious. questions to the relevant leadership. Each of these questions will receive an appropriate answer.” The former head of the main directorate of the Security Service in Crimea has also been detained on suspicion of treason, he said. “All those who with him were part of a criminal group that worked for the interests of the Russian Federation will also be held accountable. These are the transfer of secret information to the enemy and other events of cooperation with the Russian special services.” Senior SBU officials in southern Ukraine have been blamed for the ease with which Russian forces were able to seize large swathes of the south within a week of the invasion. Zelensky indicated that there will be further action. “The specific actions and any inaction of each member of the security and law enforcement agencies will be assessed. The corresponding inspection of the law enforcement agencies has already given the first results and will continue.” Zelensky also said that the Prime Minister will undertake to intensify the search for a new head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau.
