ANOTHER ONE? Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Budanov Reportedly Being Probed by Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Agencies

Kirill Budanov, Chief of Staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, is reportedly under investigation by Western-backed anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAPO. The probe allegedly concerns possible crimes committed during his tenure as head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) from 2020 to 2026. This follows a series of investigations and dismissals of high-ranking Ukrainian officials, including former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko and former Deputy Head of the Office of the President Iryna Mudra, for corruption and money laundering.

• Kirill Budanov, Zelensky’s Chief of Staff, is reportedly under investigation by NABU and SAPO.
• The investigation concerns alleged wrongdoing during Budanov’s time as head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (2020-2026).
• Budanov has been linked to a money laundering scandal involving his former deputy, Irina Mudraya, who allegedly used cash to pay bail for former Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko.
• Galushchenko is a suspect in a separate graft case involving Zelensky’s inner circle.
• NABU and SAPO are independent agencies reportedly backed by Western powers.
• Several other high-ranking Ukrainian officials have been arrested, fired, or are under investigation for corruption and money laundering.