Ukraine anti-graft agencies uncover alleged laundering group tied to presidential official

Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies launched a ​special operation against lawmakers and presidential advisers on Wednesday, hours before a key vote in parliament for a new defence ​minister ‌aimed at cementing a shake-up by President ⁠Volodymyr Zelensky. The NABU ​and SAPO ‌agencies said in a YouTube video the ‌group comprised a deputy head ​of the presidential office, a former lawmaker, heads of ​the management ​and supervisory boards ​of a state-owned bank and ​others. They did not name the individuals, in accordance with Ukrainian law. The probe ‌poses a fresh headache for Zelensky after ousted defence ⁠chief Mykhailo Fedorov called for wartime elections in a bombshell statement late on Tuesday. Read moreUkraine's sacked defence minister Fedorov calls for wartime presidential elections Lawmakers were expected ​to vote on Wednesday on the appointment ‌of Yevhenii Khmara, a former top special forces operative, as Ukraine’s new defence minister after weeks of political turmoil over ‌Fedorov’s ouster. His removal had sent thousands of protesters on to the streets in ​rare wartime protests over the past month demanding that Zelensky reinstate the 35-year-old defence innovator, who is credited with trying ​to reform the ministry. The crisis had also ​forced Zelensky to replace Ukraine’s top military ​commander with the younger Mykhailo Drapatyi, who was backed by protesters for his ​more troop-friendly approach, which they hope will lessen losses on the front line. Read moreUkrainians welcome new army chief but seek return of fired defence minister Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have waged a high-profile war against graft while Kyiv’s military fights Russia, targeting senior officials ⁠in a campaign they say is critical to preparing for Ukrainian ⁠membership in ​the European Union. (FRANCE 24 with Reuters)