Two prosecutors from Chernihiv Oblast placed under suspicion — Prosecutor General Kravchenko

Ukraine’s Deputy Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko said a deputy head of a district prosecutor’s office in Chernihiv Oblast has been charged with organizing the theft of sensitive documents, forging official paperwork, and aiding in the falsification of evidence.

“This prosecutor tried to cover up the illegal transfer of 8,000 hectares of agricultural land to an agribusiness,” Kravchenko said. “He organized the theft of 14 boxes of documents critical to the investigation. Instead of evidence, the expert institution received a box of newspapers. And to conceal the fraud, he forged the accompanying paperwork. Today, he received his notice of suspicion.”

A separate notice of suspicion was issued to the former first deputy head of the Chernihiv regional prosecutor’s office, who is accused of abusing his influence and disclosing information from a pre-trial investigation.

According to Kravchenko, the former prosecutor interfered in an investigation in 2021 to benefit an acquaintance in exchange for a “reward.” He allegedly pressured investigators to open a case, conduct interrogations and searches, and shared sensitive information with third parties.

“As Prosecutor General, it is unpleasant for me to report crimes within the prosecutor’s office,” Kravchenko said. “But it’s even worse to remain silent or turn a blind eye. I promised not to cover for anyone… and I repeat — no indulgences.”

On July 15, Kravchenko announced that all prosecutors with disability status would be referred to the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of Prosecutors (QDC) for review, except for those with officially confirmed status.

On March 24, Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Center reported that none of the 74 prosecutors found to have fraudulent disability claims had been dismissed.

According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, the disabilities of 74 out of 526 prosecutors were revoked after a review. Of those, 13 were in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, and 61 in other parts of Ukraine.

On July 23, Kravchenko addressed the expansion of his powers following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s signing of Law No. 12414, saying that if the President’s Office asked him to close a case, he would refuse.