The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) on January 14 confirmed that a notice of suspicion had been served on the head of one of the parliamentary factions of the Verkhovna Rada for allegedly proposing undue benefits to Members of Parliament.
The suspect’s name has not been officially disclosed. However, statements by anti-corruption authorities, as well as comments by the individual herself, indicate that the case concerns Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of the Batkivshchyna party faction.
NABU and SAPO position
According to investigators, following the exposure in December 2025 of cases involving Members of Parliament receiving undue benefits, the suspect initiated negotiations with lawmakers to establish a systemic mechanism of bribery.
NABU and SAPO state that this was not about one-off arrangements, but rather a so-called “regular cooperation mechanism” involving advance payments designed to function over a long period. In return, MPs were expected to demonstrate loyal behavior during parliamentary votes.
Investigators claim that lawmakers could receive instructions on supporting draft laws, abstaining, or refraining from participation in voting. According to the investigation, the alleged arrangements may also have concerned кадрові decisions in the Verkhovna Rada — voting in favor of dismissals and against appointments.
Anti-corruption authorities have released audio recordings in the case, in which the faction leader discusses with an unnamed MP the details of money transfers and coordination of voting via the Signal messenger. In one of the recordings, she uses the phrase “bring down this majority,” apparently referring to the Servant of the People parliamentary majority.
The notice of suspicion was issued under Part 4 of Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — proposal or provision of an undue benefit to an official. The article carries a penalty of five to ten years’ imprisonment, with possible confiscation of property. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
Searches and Tymoshenko’s reaction
During the night of January 14, law enforcement officers conducted searches at the Kyiv office of the Batkivshchyna party. On the morning of the same day, Yulia Tymoshenko confirmed that investigative actions had taken place and stated that she considers the case to be politically motivated.
She categorically denied the accusations, calling them “absurd,” and said that political persecution has accompanied her for many years. According to Tymoshenko, anti-corruption authorities have no evidence of her guilt.
The investigation continues.
Who is Yulia Tymoshenko
Yulia Tymoshenko is a Ukrainian politician, leader of the Batkivshchyna party and head of its faction in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. She is one of the most well-known and experienced figures in Ukrainian politics since the late 1990s.
She served twice as Prime Minister of Ukraine — in 2005 and from 2007 to 2010 — and has repeatedly run for president.
In 2011, Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven years in prison for abuse of office related to gas contracts signed with Russia in 2009. The court ruled that she had unilaterally instructed Naftogaz to sign the agreements without proper government approval, allegedly causing financial losses to Ukraine exceeding $190 million due to inflated gas prices.
Conclusion
The announcement of suspicion against the head of a parliamentary faction has become one of the most high-profile anti-corruption episodes in recent years and may have serious political consequences. The case investigated by NABU and SAPO concerns the alleged systemic influence on parliamentary voting and directly raises questions about the transparency of decision-making in the Verkhovna Rada.
