The Security Service of Ukraine, together with the Office of the Prosecutor General, notified in absentia of suspicion of treason Yulia Mendel, who previously held the position of press secretary of President Volodymyr Zelensky. The investigation also suspects her of justifying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.
This was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine on November 3.
According to the investigation, Mendel used her public visibility and experience in government communications to spread statements that, according to law enforcement, serve Russia's interests and are aimed at weakening international support for Ukraine.
The SBU stated that it conducted a complex of investigative actions and expert examinations, the results of which formed the basis of the suspicion. Law enforcement believes that the public appearances of the former press secretary and her posts on social media contributed to discrediting Ukraine on the international stage and justifying the actions of the Russian leadership.
The Office of the Prosecutor General clarified that among the materials on which the suspicion is based are Mendel's statements in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson.
The investigation also examined Mendel's Facebook posts, in which she commented on the alleged interest of Ukrainian authorities in continuing the war, political patronage, and persecution of dissidents.
According to law enforcement's assessment, these and other statements were used by Russian state and pro-Kremlin media in propaganda materials. According to the conclusions of the conducted expert examinations, the spread of such messages could harm Ukraine's state and information security.
Yulia Mendel was notified of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Part 2 of Article 111 — treason committed under martial law.
- Parts 2 and 3 of Article 436-2 — justification, recognition as legitimate, or denial of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, as well as glorification of its participants.
The SBU noted that Mendel is outside Ukraine, so the notification of suspicion was made in absentia. Law enforcement continues measures to bring her to criminal liability.
The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Main Investigation Directorate of the SBU under the procedural guidance of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Yulia Mendel served as Volodymyr Zelensky's press secretary from June 2019 to July 2021. After leaving the Presidential Office, she continued her public activities, and in 2026 she began to sharply criticize the Ukrainian leadership.
Earlier, on September 13, 2026, Zelensky enacted a decision of the National Security and Defense Council on personal sanctions against a number of individuals whom Ukrainian authorities associate with the spread of Russian propaganda and disinformation. Mendel was also included in the sanctions list.
At that time, the former presidential press secretary stated that she considered the restrictions against Ukrainian citizens unconstitutional. She also accused Zelensky of persecuting people who publicly advocate for peace negotiations.
The current notification of suspicion does not mean that Mendel is guilty. According to the Constitution of Ukraine, a person's guilt in committing a crime can only be established by a court's guilty verdict.
Based on materials from: Security Service of Ukraine, Suspilne.
