The infiltration of Russian spies into Ukraine and the loss of a strategic area in the south are the main reasons for President Volodymyr Zelensky’s dismissal of the head of the security service and the attorney general, changes that could strengthen his control over the state.

In a message to the nation on Sunday, Zelensky announced the departure of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) head Ivan Bakanov (the president’s childhood friend) and Attorney General Iryna Venicetova, whom he disapproved of as there were no consequences. for the fight against espionage and for cooperation with Moscow.

More than 650 investigations are being conducted against prosecutorial officials and Ukrainian security forces on charges of “treason” and “collaboration” with Moscow. Zelensky said this raises “very serious questions” about the work of these two leaders.

At the President’s request, the parliament this Tuesday (19) voted and approved the dismissal of Ministerov and Venicetova.

Andrii Smyrnov, a head of the presidential administration on Monday, said that in the “collaborative and treacherous pursuit” that infiltrated these structures, “everyone expected “more concrete results” from them.

‘serious mistake’

Ukrainian political scientist Volodymir Fesenko told AFP that for some time “the president and his cabinet were not satisfied with the work of Bakanov and Venicetova” and that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had escalated tensions.

At least three senior SBU officials have been charged with treason on behalf of Moscow in recent months. One of them, Oleg Kulinich, who was overthrown in March and detained on Sunday, was stationed in the Kherson region.

Located very close to Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula (which Moscow annexed in 2014), this strategic region was quickly occupied by Russian troops at the start of the invasion, which was criticized for the government’s lack of defense preparation.

“This man who was supposed to help Bakanov cooperated with the Russian special services. It was a very serious mistake and I think it was the last straw for Zelensky.”

Zelensky also dismissed the head of the SBU in Kherson, Serhiy Kryvoruchko, at the end of March. In addition, another senior regional official is suspected of handing over secret maps of antipersonnel minefields to the Russians, according to the regional council owner.

President Zelensky announced on Monday that he is holding a “leadership review” at the SBU, and one of Ministerov’s aides and 28 agents will be sacked for “unsatisfactory results”.

In turn, Iryna Venicetova was responsible for investigating the atrocities committed by Russian troops, particularly in the city of Bucha, northwest of Kiev, which has become an example of “war crimes” in Ukraine.

Influential media outlet Ukrainska Pravda Venicetova claims that her actions were a target of the presidency because of the excessive media coverage and, above all, speedy court proceedings that made prisoner exchanges against Russian soldiers difficult, a priority for Zelensky.

manageable substitutions

However, for many Ukrainian analysts, the dismissals at the top of the state are Zelensky’s ploy to increase his control over the security forces because his replacements are considered more manageable.

Zelensky temporarily replaced the attorney general and head of the security service with their respective aides, Oleksi Symonenko and Vassyl Maliuk.

“It’s clear these guys will “follow the political orders” of the presidency, said Tetiana Shevchuk, an analyst at the Ukrainian NGO Anti-Corruption Action Center, quoted by Forbes Ukraine.