One in ten MPs of the 9th convocation under suspicion: SAP names 41 — what it means for the Rada
The head of the Specialized Anti‑Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), Oleksandr Klymenko, announced 41 suspicions against serving deputies. This is not only a matter of criminal accountability — it touches on trust in parliament and its ability to govern during wartime.
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
January 26, 2026 · 2 min read
Facts
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) reported that 41 sitting members of the Verkhovna Rada of the IX convocation have been notified of suspicions. With the current number of deputies in parliament — fewer than 400 — that is roughly 10% of its membership.
"In total, 41 deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of the IX convocation have been notified by the SAP"
— Oleksandr Klymenko, head of the SAP
Context
Over ten years since the establishment of the anti-corruption bodies, a total of 79 former and current people's deputies have been notified of suspicions. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) was created on April 16, 2015, and the SAP began operating as a separate unit on September 22, 2015 — both bodies were formed after the Revolution of Dignity to combat high-level corruption.
High-profile case: Tymoshenko
One of the most recently high-publicity cases concerns Yuliia Tymoshenko. On January 14, 2026, NABU and the SAP announced suspicions against her for allegedly offering bribes to deputies from other factions in exchange for votes. Law enforcement released recordings they describe as wiretaps, and on January 21 the High Anti-Corruption Court (VAKS) placed an arrest on part of the politician's property.
"This is politically motivated"
— Yuliia Tymoshenko, party leader
What this means
First, such figures amplify questions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of the legislative process: when a significant portion of parliament's deputies are under suspicion, it weakens the trust of citizens and partners.
Second, in wartime every internal conflict dilutes focus on critical tasks — defense, financing, international support. Analysts note that investigations must be as transparent and prompt as possible so as not to turn justice into an instrument of political pressure.
Third, for institutions this is a test: whether they can combine an unwavering fight against corruption with ensuring the stable operation of parliament during security challenges.
Conclusion
Next come court decisions and possible new procedural steps. For society it is important to monitor not only the number of suspicions, but the quality of the evidentiary base and the functioning of the judicial system. The question that remains open: will institutions be able to turn these high-profile cases into real convictions while maintaining focus on national security and public trust?
