Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and Prosecutor General’s Office have charged former presidential press secretary Iuliia Mendel with treason in absentia, accusing her of conducting information and subversive activities against Ukraine and justifying Russia’s full-scale war.
The charges, filed on Nov. 3, allege that Mendel, who served as President Volodymyr Zelensky’s press secretary from 2019 to 2021 before becoming a vocal critic, engaged in activities that “justify the Kremlin regime and the full-scale war” against Ukraine. The agencies also accused her of treason committed under martial law, as well as justifying, legitimizing or denying Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.
Mendel, who is abroad, has made a series of unconfirmed and, in some cases, misleading claims that echo Russian narratives. In May, she appeared on the podcast of U.S. commentator Tucker Carlson, who has promoted pro-Russian narratives, and called Zelensky “the main obstacle to peace.” In September, she spoke at a side event at the invitation of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, whose members have previously criticized military aid to Ukraine.
Commenting on the charges, Mendel said the case was based on her public statements in Western media and on social media. “The materials on which this suspicion is based are my public statements in Western media and on social media — specifically those concerning revelations of corruption of Zelensky’s inner circle, the absence of freedom of speech, and political persecution,” she said. “If there had been any collaboration with the Russians, that is exactly what they would have written... There is none.... This is a matter of freedom of speech,” she added.
Zelensky imposed sanctions on Mendel on Sept. 13. The charges were filed in absentia as she is abroad; her guilt must be proven in court.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case tests the boundary between wartime national security measures and freedom of speech in Ukraine, as authorities prosecute a former insider for public criticism.
- It signals the Zelensky administration’s willingness to take legal action against prominent Ukrainians who echo Kremlin-aligned narratives.
- The outcome could affect Ukraine’s democratic image abroad, especially among Western allies who support its war effort while emphasising rule of law.
Background
Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The government has pursued cases against individuals accused of spreading pro-Russian propaganda or collaborating with Moscow. Mendel, once a close aide to Zelensky, shifted to strong public criticism after leaving office in 2021, publishing a book praising the president in 2022 before later calling him a “dictator.”
Key Perspectives
Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Prosecutor General’s Office: Accuse Mendel of conducting “information and subversive activities against Ukraine” and justifying Russian aggression, charges that carry severe prison sentences under martial law.
Iuliia Mendel: Denies the allegations, saying the charges are based solely on her public remarks criticising corruption in Zelensky’s circle and lack of freedom of speech. She calls the case a political persecution and a freedom-of-speech issue.
What to Watch
- Whether Ukrainian authorities seek Mendel’s extradition from the country where she currently resides.
- Any further public statements from Mendel or her legal team as the case proceeds.
- Reactions from Western human rights groups and governments regarding the balance between security and free expression.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
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- SupportedUkraine charged Iuliia Mendel with treason in absentia.Kyiv Independent: “charged President Volodymyr Zelensky's former press secretary-turned-critic, Iuliia Mendel, with treason in absentia on Nov. 3.”
- SupportedThe SBU and Prosecutor General’s Office accused Mendel of information and subversive activities against Ukraine and justifying Russia’s full-scale war.Kyiv Independent: “The agencies accused Mendel of conducting "information and subversive activities against Ukraine" and "justifying the Kremlin regime and the full-scale war" against the country.”
- SupportedMendel said the case was based on her public statements in Western media and on social media.Kyiv Independent: “Commenting on the accusations, Mendel said the case was based on her public remarks in Western media and on social media.”
- Partly supportedThe agencies accused Mendel of activities that “justify the Kremlin regime and the full-scale war” against Ukraine.Kyiv Independent: “The agencies accused Mendel of conducting "information and subversive activities against Ukraine" and "justifying the Kremlin regime and the full-scale war" against the country.”
- SupportedThe agencies also accused Mendel of treason committed under martial law and of justifying, legitimizing or denying Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.Kyiv Independent: “The agencies accused Mendel of treason committed under martial law, as well as justifying, legitimizing, or denying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.”
- SupportedMendel has made unconfirmed and, in some cases, misleading claims that echo Russian narratives.Kyiv Independent: “She has also made a series of unconfirmed and, in some cases, misleading claims that echo Russian narratives .”
- SupportedIn May, Mendel appeared on Tucker Carlson’s podcast and called Zelensky “the main obstacle to peace.”Kyiv Independent: “During the interview, she criticized Zelensky and called him "the main obstacle to peace,"”
- SupportedCarlson has promoted pro-Russian narratives.Kyiv Independent: “U.S. commentator Tucker Carlson , who has promoted pro-Russian narratives.”
- SupportedIn September, Mendel spoke at a side event at the invitation of Germany’s AfD party, whose members have previously criticized military aid to Ukraine.Kyiv Independent: “In September, she also spoke at a side event at the invitation of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. AfD members have previously criticized military assistance to Ukraine”
- SupportedMendel said the materials underlying the suspicion were her public statements about corruption, freedom of speech and political persecution.Kyiv Independent: “"The materials on which this suspicion is based are my public statements in Western media and on social media — specifically those concerning revelations of corruption of Zelensky's inner circle, the absence of freedom of speech, and political persecution," she said .”
- SupportedMendel said there had been no collaboration with the Russians and called the case a matter of freedom of speech.Kyiv Independent: “"If there had been any collaboration with the Russians, that is exactly what they would have written... There is none.... This is a matter of freedom of speech," she added.”
- SupportedZelensky imposed sanctions on Mendel on Sept. 13, and her guilt must be proven in court.Kyiv Independent: “Her guilt must be proven in court. Zelensky imposed sanctions on Mendel on Sept. 13.”