Zelensky fires prosecutor general Venediktova, security service chief Bakanov

President Volodymyr Zelensky has fired Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova and the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov.

Venediktova, the first woman to hold the post of prosecutor general, was appointed in the spring of 2020. During her time in office, Venediktova came under heavy criticism from anti-corruption activists and the media, who pointed to her failure to prosecute high-profile cases and her office's role in sabotaging corruption investigations against people affiliated with Zelensky, including members of his party and administration.

Zelensky’s childhood friend and long-time employee Bakanov was appointed in August 2019. Before entering politics, Bakanov was a lawyer and a top manager at Zelensky’s entertainment company Kvartal 95.

Weeks prior to his dismissal, rumors circulated that Zelensky wanted to fire Bakanov for failing to adequately respond to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The decree said that Bakanov was dismissed for neglecting his duties, which led to human casualties or other serious consequences, according to the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.