Prosecutors explain how Tymoshenko became linked to alleged MP bribery probe

Oleksandr Klymenko told Ukrinform in an interview on Jan. 26 that investigators received information in November 2025 about efforts inside the Verkhovna Rada to induce lawmakers to leave the Servant of the People faction or vote against the wishes of the parliamentary majority.

“This information was not limited to us,” Klymenko said. “There were media reports that the Security Service of Ukraine held preventive talks with lawmakers who allegedly tried to persuade others to leave their faction or take other steps that would effectively paralyze parliament and prevent it from performing its core function.”

He added that information about possible bribery attempts also surfaced in the course of other criminal proceedings.

“We already had records from covert investigative actions confirming that such attempts were indeed taking place. That is why we appealed to the prosecutor general, and on Nov. 27, information on this matter was entered into the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations,” Klymenko said.

The SAPO chief declined to comment on questions about a lawmaker who allegedly communicated with Tymoshenko.

“Due to the nature of our work, I cannot confirm or deny whether anyone cooperated with us,” Klymenko said. “If we disclose details of our interactions, people will stop coming to us, and we will no longer be able to do our job.”

On Jan. 23, the full bail amount of 33 million hryvnias (about $870,000) was posted for Tymoshenko.

Case against Tymoshenko: key points

Tymoshenko is suspected of offering bribes to lawmakers in exchange for votes in the Verkhovna Rada. On Jan. 14, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine published audio recordings in which a woman’s voice — believed by investigators to belong to a lawmaker — discusses payment amounts and gives instructions on how to vote on specific bills, including those related to appointments and dismissals.

During a hearing at the High Anti-Corruption Court on Jan. 16, Tymoshenko said that another voice heard on the NABU recordings belonged to Servant of the People lawmaker Ihor Kopytin. She alleged the case was a “provocation” orchestrated against her at the bureau’s behest. Tymoshenko denied all corruption allegations and called the recordings fabricated.

If convicted, the politician faces up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property under Article 369, Part 4 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code. On Jan. 16, the High Anti-Corruption Court ordered bail of 33.28 million hryvnias (about $880,000).

Tymoshenko said she would appeal the court’s decision and seek help from “friends and colleagues” to cover the bail.

The court also ordered the seizure of property belonging to Tymoshenko’s husband, Oleksandr Tymoshenko, as well as cash and items seized during searches.