Zelensky’s office faces corruption probe in Ukraine as fired minister demands elections

Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies are investigating senior officials within President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office. This probe, announced on Wednesday, aims to expose a criminal organization allegedly involving a sitting and a former lawmaker, along with presidential office personnel. The investigation comes a day after the recently dismissed defense minister called for national elections, despite the ongoing conflict with Russia. This political development is considered an unwelcome distraction for President Zelensky, who has faced other high-level corruption investigations, including one involving his chief of staff last year. Further details of the current operation are expected to be released later.

Ukraine's parliament is set to vote on a successor for Mykhailo Fedorov, who has called for elections, as a new corruption probe targets unnamed lawmakers. This investigation adds pressure on President Zelenskyy ahead of the vote. Separately, Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the country is investigating potential Russian involvement in an arson attack on a building housing Milrem Robotics, a defense contractor that manufactures unmanned military weapons systems deployed in Ukraine and elsewhere. The attack occurred late on Friday.