NABU notified former Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna of a new suspicion; HACC is choosing a preventive measure

Former Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States Olha Stefanishyna has been served with a new notice of suspicion. The High Anti-Corruption Court is currently considering a motion to impose a preventive measure on her, UNN correspondent reports from the courtroom. 

Details

During the court hearing, the prosecutor read out the former official’s correspondence in a mobile chat with a realtor. Stefanishyna wanted to use the agent’s services to purchase real estate, seeking to buy a house for $550,000. 

According to Ukrainian media, detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and prosecutors from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office notified the former government official of the suspicion.

The press service of the High Anti-Corruption Court confirmed that the judges are considering the prosecution’s motion to impose a preventive measure on Stefanishyna. 

What is known about the new suspicion against Stefanishyna

The NABU and SAPO have not yet published an official notice outlining the facts of the criminal proceedings, the legal classification of Stefanishyna’s actions, or a description of the evidence cited by the investigators.

It is also not yet known what specific arguments the prosecution is presenting or what position the former deputy prime minister’s defense is taking.

At the same time, the media suggest that the notice of suspicion may be related to one of the previously opened anti-corruption proceedings concerning the property of Stefanishyna and her relatives. There is currently no official confirmation of this.

Investigation into possible illicit enrichment

It was previously reported that anti-corruption agencies were investigating possible illicit enrichment and the inclusion of inaccurate information in Stefanishyna’s declarations.

Information about these proceedings was contained in decisions of the High Anti-Corruption Court and its Appeals Chamber. As part of the investigation, detectives examined the circumstances surrounding the purchase and use of real estate and a vehicle that may have been connected to the former government official or members of her family.

In particular, the case materials mentioned an apartment with an area of 99.8 square meters, several non-residential premises, and a parking space in the “Lvivska Ploshcha” residential complex.

The investigators also examined the circumstances surrounding the purchase of two apartments in the capital’s “Fayna Town” residential complex and the use of a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC 220D. 

According to media reports, law enforcement officers may have been checking whether Stefanishyna used this vehicle during 2021–2025 and who actually financed its purchase and maintenance.

At the same time, the presence of the relevant information in the case materials does not in itself prove that a crime was committed. Only the court can make the final determination in the case. 

What is known about the apartments in “Fayna Town”

As part of this investigation, NABU detectives searched the car of lawyer Ivan Kholondovych. They seized two mobile phones from him, which were subsequently recognized as material evidence.

According to journalists, the investigation linked the lawyer to the purchase of two apartments in the “Fayna Town” residential complex. Anti-corruption agencies may have been checking the sources of the funds used to purchase the real estate, as well as a possible connection between the apartments and Stefanishyna.

Stefanishyna’s mother’s apartment

Journalists had previously also reported that Olha Stefanishyna’s mother, Nadiia Kravets, purchased a three-room apartment with an area of 99.8 square meters in the “Lvivska Ploshcha” residential complex.

The contractual price of the home was approximately UAH 3.04 million. At the same time, journalists estimated the minimum market value of similar apartments in this residential complex at approximately UAH 12 million.

Stefanishyna explained the difference in price by saying that her parents had invested money in the construction back in 2019. According to her, the price per square meter was significantly lower at that time, amounting to approximately UAH 29,000.

The former deputy prime minister also emphasized that the apartment belongs to her mother. In her view, she did not consider this home to be her property and had no grounds to include it in her own declaration.

Separate proceedings concerning ARMA assets

Another criminal proceeding mentioned in connection with Stefanishyna concerns the possible transfer of assets that were under the management of the Asset Recovery and Management Agency.

In June 2025, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office registered proceedings under Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. It provides for liability for abuse of power or official position that caused grave consequences.

The grounds for registering the proceedings were materials from a journalistic investigation into the transfer of ARMA assets to companies and individuals whom the authors of the report linked to Stefanishyna's circle and her former husband, Mykhailo Stefanishyn.

At the time the proceedings were opened, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office emphasized that no person had yet been notified of suspicion within their framework.

Stefanishyna herself stated that she had been divorced from her former husband for a long time, was not connected with his business or professional activities, and maintained contact with him exclusively regarding matters concerning their joint children.

It is also currently unknown whether the new suspicion is connected with these proceedings.

The case from the time of the Ministry of Justice

Separately, Olha Stefanishyna has the status of an accused person in criminal proceedings related to the activities of the Ministry of Justice during the tenure of its head, Olena Lukash.

According to the investigation, in 2013–2014, officials of the Ministry of Justice and other individuals involved may have misappropriated or embezzled approximately UAH 2.5 million in budget funds.

The money was allocated to conduct comparative legal studies on adapting Ukrainian legislation to the legislation of the European Union.

Stefanishyna was notified of suspicion in this case back in October 2019. In September 2023, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office submitted the indictment to the High Anti-Corruption Court.

Stefanishyna was charged, in particular, under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. It concerns the misappropriation, embezzlement, or taking of property by abuse of official position on an especially large scale or by an organized group.

Some of the individuals involved, including Stefanishyna, were exempted from liability for the episode concerning possible official forgery due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. At the same time, consideration of the main charges continued at the High Anti-Corruption Court.

Context

Two days before information about the new suspicion emerged, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Olha Stefanishyna from the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States of America. The head of state signed the relevant decree on August 3, 2026.

Stefanishyna herself said that she was leaving the diplomatic post due to personal circumstances. She had also previously stated that the head of state had not demanded her resignation and wanted her to continue working in Washington.

It should be noted that in July, some politicians and media outlets had already reported that NABU was allegedly preparing a new suspicion notice for Stefanishyna. At that time, the anti-corruption agencies did not officially confirm this information.