The Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko submitted a resignation letter amid a large-scale investigation by NABU and SAP called “Carthage”, which concerns the alleged “protection” of fraudulent call centers by certain employees of the Office of the Prosecutor General. According to sources from “Ukrainska Pravda”, at the peak of the scheme up to 500 call centers could have been operating under such cover, and the potential volume of monthly payments could have reached $3.5 million.
The problem of fraudulent call centers in Ukraine is far from new. As early as 2023, banks were complaining about large customer losses due to fraud, and among the victims of so‑called “offices” were increasingly not only Ukrainians but also citizens of European Union countries.
Despite regular reports of raids and closures of individual “offices”, the scale of this business, according to sources from “Ukrainska Pravda” in law enforcement and business circles, continued to grow. The publication’s interlocutors claimed that the locations of call centers and their owners were known to law enforcement in many cases.
A new stage began after the appointment of Ruslan Kravchenko as Prosecutor General. According to UP’s sources in law enforcement agencies, rivalry between different security structures for influence over this sphere intensified. In early 2026, talks about the possible involvement of certain prosecutors in covering call centers became increasingly active.
NABU went into the Prosecutor General’s Office
On the evening of September 4, 2026, investigators from NABU and SAP arrived at the main entrance of the Office of the Prosecutor General to carry out investigative actions.
According to UP, despite having a court warrant, the detectives were not immediately allowed into the building. The anti-corruption officers had to use ladders, and one of the staff members was injured during the entry into the premises.
Sources in anti-corruption agencies told the publication that the “Carthage” operation was originally planned for several days later. However, investigators reportedly noticed that some figures had begun to leave their usual places of residence, so they decided to start the operation earlier.
One of the key suspects — the deputy head of the Department of International-Legal Cooperation of the Office of the Prosecutor General, Serhiy Kropyva, who is referred to in case materials as “Chancellor” — was detained in Lviv. Since he has three minor children, investigators believed he could have lawfully left Ukraine.
Problems also arose at the Prosecutor General’s office: the doors were locked. According to UP’s sources, they were opened only after detectives prepared to enter the premises by force.
Ruslan Kravchenko himself was not at his workplace. Sources in political circles said that at about that time he was in the government quarter and had visited the Office of the President.
The Prosecutor General was also not found at his home, where NABU and SAP staff arrived later that night. Initially, the Office of the Prosecutor General denied the raids, but the next day confirmed that investigative actions had been conducted.
“Chancellor”, “boss” and “Andriyovych”
Particular attention was drawn to the hearing at the High Anti-Corruption Court on September 6, where the preventive measure for Serhiy Kropyva was being decided.
During the case review, recordings of conversations were played in which the figure repeatedly mentioned the “boss” and “Andriyovych”. The investigation also noted Kropyva’s closeness to the leadership of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
According to materials presented by the prosecution, Serhiy Kropyva allegedly handled not only matters related to the call centers. The investigation claimed that he also took care of household issues and the renovation of Ruslan Kravchenko’s house.
Ruslan Kravchenko categorically denied any involvement in receiving funds from fraudulent call centers or in their “protection”. As of the evening of September 7, he also emphasized that he does not have procedural status in the “Carthage” case as either a suspect or a witness.
How much money the call centers could have generated
The most resonant part of the investigation was the possible scale of the payments.
According to sources from “Ukrainska Pravda” in law enforcement, one call center could have transferred approximately $7,000 per month to representatives of the Office of the Prosecutor General for noninterference in its activities.
If at least 100 call centers were operating under such cover, that would amount to roughly $700,000 per month.
At the peak of activity in 2026, sources told the publication that up to 500 fraudulent call centers could have been under control. In that case the potential volume of payments could have reached up to $3.5 million per month.
These figures are based on UP’s sources and are not currently established facts in court.
NABU and SAP officially reported the exposure of five participants of the alleged criminal organization. According to the investigation, the funds obtained could have been laundered through real estate, jewelry, registering assets in other people’s names, and accounts of close persons.
What they searched for among the leadership of the Office of the Prosecutor General
The investigation may go far beyond the call centers themselves.
According to UP’s sources, anti-corruption agencies are examining the origin of Ruslan Kravchenko’s property and the possible influence he may have retained after working in the tax authorities.
The publication also points to the conduct of the Office of the Prosecutor General’s leadership during the operation: the delay in allowing detectives into the building, problems accessing the Prosecutor General’s office, and the absence of Kravchenko during the investigative actions.
In addition, according to UP’s sources in law enforcement, during searches at the first deputy prosecutor general’s office Mariia Vdovychenko, materials were allegedly found related to surveillance of the heads of anti-corruption agencies, their families and employees. There are no official final conclusions about these materials yet.
Sources also said that already on September 7 the prosecutor’s office began systematizing materials concerning NABU and SAP. This was perceived as a possible preparation by the Office of the Prosecutor General for a counterattack against anti-corruption structures.
Zelensky, Arakhamia and the fate of the Prosecutor General
The situation quickly shifted from a criminal matter to a political one.
According to sources from “Ukrainska Pravda”, President Volodymyr Zelensky initially leaned toward dismissing the Prosecutor General. At the same time, the head of the parliamentary faction “Servant of the People”, David Arakhamia, reportedly opposed a hasty resignation and suggested waiting.
On the evening of September 7, the publication reported that the president met with Ruslan Kravchenko in the presence of David Arakhamia.
However, already on September 8, 2026, Ruslan Kravchenko announced his resignation as Prosecutor General. He called it a political decision and asked the president and the Verkhovna Rada to accept it. He continues to deny any involvement in the possible “protection” of fraudulent call centers.
Kravchenko’s resignation does not automatically mean an admission of guilt, nor does it automatically confer suspect status on him.
The “Carthage” operation continues. The main question now is how high the organization’s influence could have reached, whether investigators will be able to prove the flow of funds from fraudulent call centers to specific officials, and whether new suspects will appear in the case.
Earlier we wrote:
- Ruslan Kravchenko resigned as Prosecutor General
- VAKS remanded in custody the driver of an official from the Office of the Prosecutor General with a UAH 3 million bail
- The Office of the Prosecutor General confirmed NABU’s night investigative actions in the leadership’s official premises
- A criminal organization linked to fraudulent call centers was uncovered in the Prosecutor General’s Office
- Who outplays whom? Zelensky vs NABU: Season 2025
