Politics · Other · 4 hrs ago
Ukraine charges former Zelensky press secretary Iuliia Mendel with treason
Ukraine has charged Iuliia Mendel with treason, accusing her of spreading messages that support Russia and undermine Ukraine.
Mendel was Volodymyr Zelensky’s press secretary from 2019 to 2021 before becoming a prominent critic of the Ukrainian president.
The Security Service and Prosecutor General’s Office cite her public comments, including an interview with US commentator Tucker Carlson, as evidence.
They say her statements justified Russia’s war and were used by Russian propaganda.
Mendel, who is abroad, denies acting in Russia’s interests and says the case is based on her criticism of corruption and limits on free speech.
The charges have been filed in absentia, and her guilt must be established in court.
The case comes after Zelensky imposed sanctions on her in September, including freezing her Ukrainian assets for 10 years.
Ukraine’s Security Service and Prosecutor General’s Office charged former presidential press secretary Iuliia Mendel with treason in absentia on Nov. 3.
The agencies accuse her of conducting information activities against Ukraine and justifying Russia’s war.
Mendel says the case is based on her public statements and that it concerns freedom of speech.
She served as President Volodymyr Zelensky’s press secretary from 2019 to 2021 and is now abroad.
- Who
- Iuliia Mendel, a former press secretary to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- What
- Ukraine’s Security Service and Prosecutor General’s Office charged her with treason in absentia.
- When
- Nov. 3, 2026.
- Where
- Ukraine; the charges were filed in absentia because Mendel is abroad.
- Why
- The agencies allege that her public statements spread narratives benefiting Russia and justified its aggression against Ukraine. Mendel says the case is based on her public remarks.
Ukrainian authorities
Iuliia Mendel
Alleged conduct
Ukrainian authorities
The agencies accuse Mendel of information and subversive activities against Ukraine and of justifying Russia’s war.
Iuliia Mendel
Mendel says the case is based on her public statements in Western media and on social media.
Purpose and impact
Ukrainian authorities
The Prosecutor General’s Office says her statements benefited Russia and were used by Russian propaganda.
Iuliia Mendel
Mendel says her statements concerned corruption, lack of freedom of speech and political persecution.
Mendel served as Zelensky’s press secretary.
Mendel criticized Zelensky in an interview with Tucker Carlson.
Zelensky imposed sanctions on Mendel.
Ukraine’s Security Service and Prosecutor General’s Office charged Mendel with treason in absentia.
- Charge
- Treason in absentia
- Charged by
- Security Service of Ukraine and Prosecutor General’s Office
- Former role
- Zelensky’s press secretary, 2019–2021
- Interview
- Tucker Carlson, May 2026
- Status
- Mendel is abroad
5 sources
Mendel reagiert auf Vorwürfe: Kiew beschuldigt Selenskyjs Ex-Sprecherin des Landesverrats
Vorwurf des Landesverrats gegen Selenskyjs Ex-Sprecherin
Ukraine charges Zelensky's former press secretary Iuliia Mendel with treason
Бывшему пресс-секретарю Зеленского заочно предъявили обвинения в госизмене
Ukraine names Iuliia Mendel, Zelensky’s former press secretary, as a treason suspect
What people are saying
information and subversive activities against Ukraine
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
This is a matter of freedom of speech
Posts on X
It is reported that I am suspected of high treason. 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 Zelenskyy's inner circle, the absence of freedom of speech,