Ukraine President fires top prosecutor and security chief for treason

Volodymyr Zelensky fires two important government figures, accusing them of collaborating with Russia

In his nightly video address on Sunday, President Zelensky says the Prosecutor General and the Head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) have been dismissed.

He says officials within both departments were suspected of treason, citing multiple examples that occurred within the powerful organisations

The two sacked officials are former Prosecutor General, Iryna Venediktova, and former SBU Chief, Ivan Bakanov, who is a childhood friend of Zelensky’s. Both are yet to comment.

Over 650 criminal proceedings have been registered in relation to the suspected treason.

It’s understood that 60 employees from the two departments are in the occupied territory and are working against Ukraine’s interests.

In the video address, late Sunday, Zelensky said “Such an array of crimes against the foundations of the national security of the state… pose very serious questions to the relevant heads.”

“Each of these questions will receive a proper answer,” he said.

This comes as Moscow orders thousands of troops to step up military operations across Ukraine.

Meanwhile, U.S Pentagon officials are estimating 100 to 150 Ukrainian civilians have been killed in the past two weeks of conflict.