President of Ukraine has “removed from duties” Head of the Security Service Ivan Bakanov and “removed from the post” Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova.

The top security operative was removed in accordance with “Article 47 of the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” which says “failure to perform (improper performance of) service duties, which led to human casualties or other grave consequences, or created a threat of such consequences, shall be among grounds to remove a serviceman from duties”.

By another decree, Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Oleksiy Symonenko as acting Prosecutor General.

According to the President, as many as 651 criminal cases have been opened in Ukraine on high treason charges and collaboration activities among law enforcers.

“Such many crimes against national security and contacts between officers on Ukraine’s law enforcement structures and Russian special services give reasons for very serious questions to the head of corresponding agencies. Answers will be given to each of such question”, - he said in a video address.