Ukraine's parliament about to vote on bill destroying independence of key anti-corruption bodies

Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

The Ukrainian parliament is set to vote on amendments on July 22 that could effectively destroy the independence of Ukraine's two key anti-corruption institutions, according to opposition lawmakers and watchdogs.

The proposed legislation would grant the prosecutor general new powers over investigations led by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and cases led by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.

The step comes as Ukrainian authorities ramp up pressure against the two agencies established as part of the anti-graft reforms after the EuroMaidan Revolution.

Under the new bill, the prosecutor general would have the authority to issue directions in NABU's investigations — or even reassign them outside the agency. It would also allow the prosecutor general to delegate SAPO's powers to other prosecutors.

The prosecutor general could also close NABU's investigations at the request of defense, among other new powers.

Ruslan Kravchenko, appointed as Ukraine's prosecutor general last month, has been described by experts as a figure close to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Watchdogs have warned that if adopted, the amendments would hamper any investigations by the two agencies into authorities or individuals close to the president.

The changes would amount to the "destruction of NABU and SAPO's independence and practically subordinate their activities to the prosecutor general," NABU said in a statement.

"Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure, built since 2015, will be destroyed," the agency added, urging lawmakers not to vote for the bill.

The news comes amid mounting warnings from activists about an escalating crackdown on anti-corruption bodies and NGOs.

On July 21, several law enforcement agencies — including the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the State Investigation Bureau — carried out sweeping searches of NABU and SAPO.

Fifteen NABU employees are under investigation on various grounds. The SBU justified the raids by citing suspected Russian infiltration and administrative misconduct, with allegations ranging from traffic violations to treason.

One NABU employee was detained on charges of spying for Russia, while another is accused of involvement in drug trafficking and ties to pro-Russian groups.