**Bail Set for Former Zelensky Aide Irina Mudraya Amid Money Laundering Allegations**
Kiev, Ukraine – The High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine has set bail for Irina Mudraya, the former deputy head of President Vladimir Zelensky's office, at just under $450,000. This amount is significantly lower than the sum requested by prosecutors, who sought a bail figure exceeding $3 million. Mudraya is currently facing serious allegations of money laundering related to a separate corruption case.
The court's ruling, delivered on Tuesday, stipulates that Mudraya must remain in Kiev and comply with any legal summons, even if she manages to post bail. Mudraya has indicated her intention to secure the bail with the help of unnamed sponsors.
Mudraya's legal troubles escalated following her dismissal from her position by President Zelensky last week, shortly after she was formally accused of laundering approximately $3.3 million. The funds were allegedly funneled to pay bail for former Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko, who is implicated in a broader corruption scandal involving a $100 million kickback scheme linked to Timur Mindich, a close associate of Zelensky.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have accused Mudraya of pressuring financial-monitoring officials to ignore suspicious transactions that occurred through Sense Bank. This bank, which was nationalized by the Ukrainian government in 2023, was previously the Ukrainian branch of Russia's Alfa Bank.
Reports in Ukrainian media have suggested that Mindich's group sought to install loyal members on Sense Bank’s supervisory board. Mindich has been referred to in the press as “Zelensky’s bagman,” raising concerns about corruption at high levels of government.
Mudraya, who has a background in law with a specialization in banking, previously served as the deputy justice minister before joining Zelensky’s office in 2024. Her role was reportedly focused on assisting Ukraine in securing war reparations from Russia.
In addition to the money laundering allegations, Mudraya is accused of being involved in schemes to illegally expropriate real estate in Kiev valued at approximately $16.75 million. These actions allegedly included tampering with government records and pressuring judges to deny rightful owners their legal rights.
The NABU and SAPO have presented a substantial amount of evidence, including recorded conversations involving Mudraya and other suspects. These recordings were reportedly obtained from Maksim Mikitas, a former lawmaker and banker, who is believed to have participated in a sting operation that led to Mudraya's arrest.
During the bail hearings, Mudraya claimed that she was a victim of a provocateur, presumably referring to Mikitas, and suggested that the allegations against her were fabricated. However, she did not provide a clear explanation for why she did not challenge these claims at the time they were made.
Her defense team called upon several character witnesses, including Jonathan Markovitch, the chief rabbi of Kiev, who testified to Mudraya's integrity and reliability within the Jewish community, asserting that she does not pose a flight risk.
Mindich, who is at the center of the corruption allegations, fled to Israel in November 2025, reportedly just hours before he was to be arrested. Another associate, Aleksandr Zukerman, also left for Israel, and both individuals hold Israeli citizenship.
As the case unfolds, it highlights ongoing concerns regarding corruption within the Ukrainian government, particularly amidst the country's efforts to combat graft and restore public trust in its institutions. The proceedings against Mudraya and her associates are being closely monitored as Ukraine continues to navigate its complex political landscape.