03.11.2026 23:30
In Ukraine, Yuliia Mendel, former press secretary to President Volodymyr Zelensky, has been charged in absentia with treason. While the Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General’s Office alleged that Mendel tried to legitimize Russia’s aggression through her public statements, the investigation’s notable grounds included her interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson. Mendel denied the accusations against her.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor General's Office have initiated proceedings in absentia against Yuliia Mendel, former press secretary to President Volodymyr Zelensky, on charges of treason during martial law and justification of Russia's armed aggression. Mendel, who is reported to be outside Ukraine, said the charges against her are based on interviews she gave to Western media and social media posts, and rejected the allegation that she cooperated with Russia.
SHE WAS ONCE HIS RIGHT-HAND WOMAN
Yuliia Mendel, who served as press secretary to President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine, has been accused of treason. In a statement on November 3, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor General's Office announced that Mendel had been notified of the suspicion of a crime in absentia.
Ukrainian authorities alleged that through her public statements and social media posts, Mendel discredited her country internationally and sought to justify the Kremlin administration and Russia's attacks on Ukraine.
According to the SBU statement, the investigation is being conducted under Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which covers treason committed under martial law, and Article 436-2, which covers justification, legitimization or denial of Russia's armed aggression and glorification of those participating in this aggression.
TUCKER CARLSON INTERVIEW IS ON THE INVESTIGATION'S AGENDA
One of the notable aspects of the investigation was Mendel's interview with US commentator Tucker Carlson. In the interview, published in May 2026, Mendel made sharp criticisms of the Zelensky administration and assessed Ukraine's future and the political environment in the country.
In statements attributed to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, Mendel's remarks in the interview were also cited, including that Ukraine was “on the brink of extinction” and that the Ukrainian nation had “regressed.”
In the same interview, Mendel described Zelensky as an obstacle to peace, claimed that the transfer of the Donbas region was discussed in the 2022 negotiations, and raised corruption allegations against the Ukrainian government. Zelensky's office, however, questioned the credibility of her claims, stating that Mendel had not been involved in those negotiations or in the government's decision-making processes.
Ukrainian authorities maintain that Mendel's statements were used by Russian state media and pro-Kremlin outlets in propaganda content.
MENDEL: I DID NOT COOPERATE WITH RUSSIA
Speaking after the charges against her were announced, Yuliia Mendel said the investigation was based on her statements in Western media and her social media posts.
Mendel argued that she was targeted for raising corruption allegations involving Zelensky's inner circle, her views that there is no freedom of expression in the country, and allegations of political pressure.
Rejecting the allegation that she cooperated with Russia, Mendel argued that the charges contained no concrete finding of such cooperation. She described the proceedings against her as an interference with freedom of expression.
SHE WAS ALSO ADDED TO THE SANCTIONS LIST IN SEPTEMBER
With a decree signed on September 13, 2026, Zelensky added Mendel to a sanctions list of persons accused of spreading Russian propaganda and supporting Moscow's aggression.
Mendel, who served as Zelensky's press secretary between 2019 and 2021, came to prominence after leaving her post with criticisms of the former administration's policies. In later statements, the former spokesperson accused the Zelensky administration of becoming authoritarian and oppressing political opponents.
Mendel's participation in an event in Germany organized at the invitation of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was also among the developments covered by the Ukrainian press.
SHE IS OUTSIDE UKRAINE
The SBU announced that Mendel is currently outside Ukraine and that the suspicion of a crime was therefore notified to her in absentia. It was stated that the investigation is being conducted by the SBU Main Investigation Department under the supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office.
The provision in the Criminal Code of Ukraine on the crime of treason committed under martial law provides for penalties ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment. However, the charges against Mendel have not yet been decided by a court. The presumption of innocence remains valid during the investigation and trial process.