Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky removed two top officials from office, following speculations of collusion with Russia.
Ivan Bakanov has been removed as head of the Ukrainian intelligence agency SBU (Sensitive but unclassified), and Iryna Venediktova as a general prosecutor.
They have not been formally dismissed because the investigations are still being carried out.
Zelensky said he suspended the two top officials after many members of their agencies were found to be collaborating with Russia.
The removal of SBU chief Ivan Bakanov, a childhood friend of Zelensky, is reminiscent of the high-profile arrest of a former SBU regional head in 2014 who was suspected of treason.
So far, investigations have shown that more than 60 former SBU employees are now working against Ukraine in Russian-occupied areas.
Some senior intelligence officials based in Kherson have also been charged. Zelensky declared that further actions are to be taken against the SBU officers.
Zeelensky has not suggested that either Ivan Bakanov or Iryna Venediktova betrayed their country, but they ran organizations where others did. For that, they have both been suspended from their duties.
The Ukrainian president said that he wanted to replace Bakanov for his responsibility and failure to stop the Russian advance in February.
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