On August 19, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine announced a special operation codenamed “Forrest Gump.” According to the investigation, the case involves an alleged criminal organization that may have included a current and a former member of parliament, officials from the Presidential Office, representatives of a state bank, and other individuals.
Search operations were conducted at the premises of Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, MP Vadym Stolar, former MP and ex-head of Ukrbud Maksym Mykytas, as well as at the offices of the state-owned Sense Bank. NABU published photographs and other investigative materials, including recorded conversations and images of cash.
One episode of the case involves the alleged laundering of 150 million hryvnias. According to NABU and SAPO, the money may have been funneled through accounts of controlled companies to post bail for one of the suspects in the “Midas” case. Media outlets linked this person to former Minister of Energy and Justice Herman Halushchenko, although his name was not directly mentioned in NABU’s initial statement.
Another part of the investigation concerns alleged raider activities. The SAPO prosecutor stated that Mykytas and Stolar may have formed an organization no later than November 15, 2024. The investigation is also examining possible attempts to seize property, influence the work of the Anti-Raider Commission of the Ministry of Justice, and interfere with the property registry.
The SAPO prosecutor has linked several individuals to the alleged scheme. According to the prosecution, Iryna Mudra may have influenced the work of the Anti-Raider Commission, Viktor Dubovyk provided legal advice to participants, and Mykytas and Stolar coordinated the organization’s activities. These claims remain the prosecution’s position and have not been confirmed by a final court ruling.
Key Figures in the Investigation
Iryna Mudra had served as Deputy Head of the Presidential Office since March 2024, overseeing legal affairs. On August 19, following the start of investigative actions, Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree dismissing her. Mudra’s lawyer confirmed that she had been served with a notice of suspicion. The former official stated that she is cooperating with the investigation and intends to comment on the case in detail after reviewing the materials.
Maksym Mykytas is a former MP and former head of Ukrbud. According to the prosecution, he was involved in the creation and leadership of the alleged criminal organization and may have been linked to episodes of raiding and money laundering. His guilt has not been established by a court.
Vadym Stolar remains a sitting MP. He previously represented the banned party “Opposition Platform — For Life” and currently belongs to the parliamentary group “Restoration of Ukraine.” Stolar confirmed that a search was conducted at his home and stated that he is cooperating with NABU.
The case materials also mention Sense Bank representatives — Chairman of the Board Oleh Stupak, Chairman of the Supervisory Board Mykola Hladyshchenko, and bank employee Liudmyla Snihur. According to the investigation, the bank and its associated accounts may have been used for financial transactions. The specific procedural status of each of these individuals requires separate confirmation from court materials.
Ukrainska Pravda, citing sources in political circles, reported that at the time NABU and SAPO arrived at Mudra’s home, Maksym Mykytas was present there.
Deutsche Welle reports that NABU is linking the investigation to the laundering of funds that may have been used to post bail for Herman Halushchenko. The publication also notes the position of Mudra’s defense team, which claims that the recorded conversations were published partially and out of context.
The Kyiv Independent reports that Sense Bank has stated its readiness to cooperate with law enforcement, while Mudra’s defense team has expressed its intention to respond to investigative questions in accordance with established procedure.
The “Forrest Gump” case has already become one of the most high-profile anti-corruption investigations of 2026. It simultaneously involves the highest echelons of the executive branch, parliament, and the state banking sector. For now, all charges remain at the level of investigative hypotheses, but the very fact of the searches, Mudra’s dismissal, and the publication of NABU materials have significantly increased pressure on the country’s political leadership and have once again raised the question of the real independence of anti-corruption institutions amid the ongoing military conflict.
