Zelensky appoints new chief prosecutor after predecessor's corruption scandal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed a new acting prosecutor general, after the predecessor resigned over an anti-corruption investigation.

Anton Kovalskyi, 42, was appointed on Thursday to replace Ruslan Kravchenko, who stood down last week after searches of his offices by Ukrainian anti-corruption officials related to illegal call centres in the country.

Officials said they identified a money-laundering scheme led by an official in Kravchenko's office, a claim he rejected.

The investigation into Kravchenko's office is the latest corruption scandal impacting Kyiv during the war against Russia. Accusations have been levelled at several members of Zelensky's inner circle.

According to Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap), the network in Kravchenko's office received money to protect call centres that carried out phone scams and "laundered millions in assets".

The money was then used to buy property, jewellery, and other valuables, according to Nabu.

Kravchenko released a statement denying any involvement and dismissing the allegations as "completely unsubstantiated". He resigned a day later before leaving Ukraine.

He also alleged documents were stolen during the search of his office with the aim of covering up criminal investigations against anti-corruption officials themselves.

Separately, he accused Nabu chief Semen Kryvonos of forging documents in a case nearly 20 years ago.

Both Nabu and Sap denied Kravchenko's claims, while Kryvonos dismissed them as "nonsense" and criticised "fierce" attempts to disrupt corruption probes.

The two anti-corruption agencies claimed it was the latest in an "unprecedented" campaign aimed at disrupting high-profile investigations they were conducting.

Nabu's Kryvonos also claimed that anti-corruption detectives, their offices and vehicles were under surveillance, without giving specific accusations.

He added: "It all looks like an attempt to obstruct the work of Nabu and Sap by gaining access to sensitive information regarding planned investigations."

Nabu and Sap are currently investigating a number of top Ukrainian officials including Zelensky's former chief of staff Andriy Yermak, former ministers and other influential people. Yermak's lawyer has described the allegations against the former official as "baseless".

In 2025, nationwide protests broke out after Zelensky tried to implement reforms that would curb the independence of Nabu and Sap. Zelensky later reinstated their freedom but questions have remained over his commitment to anti-corruption reform.