The former head of Ukraine’s state electricity operator Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kudrytsky, has dismissed embezzlement charges against him as politically driven and intended to silence his criticism of the government.
Kudrytsky, accused of helping embezzle 13.7 million hryvnias ($327,000), told AFP the case “couldn’t happen without the involvement of the presidential office.” Zelensky’s office declined to comment.
He said the allegations followed his public criticism of Kyiv’s strategy to defend the grid amid ongoing Russian strikes, now entering a fourth winter of attacks.
Kudrytsky led Ukrenergo through the early phase of the 2022 invasion before his 2024 removal, which drew concern from EU partners. His recent detention provoked public criticism at home, with think tanks urging authorities to ensure political neutrality.
He warned that wartime centralisation risked undermining institutions, urging Kyiv to uphold the rule of law.
