The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office have announced an expansion of their investigation into a significant corruption case involving the former head of the Supreme Court. The inquiry now includes three sitting Supreme Court judges and one retired judge.
According to the investigation, these judges allegedly received illicit benefits in exchange for favorable rulings for the owner of the Finance and Credit Group. Earlier today, NABU confirmed that investigative actions were underway at the residences and workplaces of several current and former judges, including the former head of the Supreme Court, whose case is currently being heard by the High Anti-Corruption Court.
NABU noted that the judges of the Supreme Court’s Grand Chamber are tasked with adjudicating complex and exceptional legal disputes. One such case involved former shareholders contesting a contract for the sale of a 40.19% stake in the Poltava Mining and Processing Plant, which was acquired in 2002 by the owner of the Finance and Credit Group.
The first-instance court dismissed the claim, but in 2022, the appellate court overturned this decision, declaring the contract invalid. The case was subsequently reviewed by the Grand Chamber judges of the Supreme Court.
NABU alleges that to avoid losing the shares, the businessman transferred $2.7 million through an intermediary to a lawyer associated with the Supreme Court’s so-called back office between March and April 2023. This payment was intended for the former head of the Supreme Court and other judges to secure a favorable ruling.
On May 15, 2023, NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office announced the uncovering of extensive corruption within the Supreme Court. On May 16, 2023, the former head of the Supreme Court, Vsevolod Knyazev, and an accomplice lawyer were charged under Article 368 for accepting a bribe as a public official. Knyazev has claimed that his arrest was unlawful.
In January 2024, Knyazev was released on bail exceeding 18 million hryvnias. In July 2023, the businessman was also charged, followed by the intermediary in September 2025. Konstantin Zhevago has denied all allegations against him and is reportedly currently in France.
The NABU has broadened its investigation into judicial corruption in Ukraine, implicating several judges in a case involving illicit payments for favorable rulings. The inquiry continues to unfold as key figures face charges and deny wrongdoing.