Former Zelensky spokesperson Iuliia Mendel charged with high treason

Ukrainian prosecutors have formally charged Iuliia Mendel, who served as the spokesperson for President Volodymyr Zelensky between 2019 and 2021, with high treason. The announcement, made on November 3, 2026, alleges that Mendel utilized her public profile and previous experience to justify Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022.

Authorities claim that Mendel intentionally sought to discredit the Ukrainian state by asserting that the country lacked freedom of speech and was heading toward collapse. According to the prosecutor’s office, sufficient evidence has been gathered to support these allegations, suggesting her public criticisms of the current administration evolved from accusations of corruption and authoritarianism into activities deemed harmful to national security.

Mendel has since become a vocal critic of President Zelensky following her departure from his office. While the prosecution maintains that her rhetoric served the interests of the aggressor state, reports indicate that Mendel explicitly rejects the criminal charges brought against her. The investigation is currently ongoing as the state proceeds with the formal legal process.