A Ukrainian anti-corruption office, NABU, has opened investigations into former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, alleging she offered parliamentary members from another faction money to influence votes, following December probes into deputies from the president’s party for vote-buying.

Video and photographs released by investigators show cash and an audio/intercepted call related to payments to MPs, fueling the case against Tymoshenko and her party.

Tymoshenko faces potential prison penalties if convicted, while she characterized the raids as a PR stunt and claimed crucial documents and personal belongings were seized.

The report situates the current allegations within Tymoshenko’s broader political trajectory and the ongoing wave of corruption investigations in Ukraine.

Separately, Ukraine granted lithium extraction rights at the Dobra deposit to a U.S.-backed consortium, signaling Western investment and closer ties with the United States, with a target of hundreds of millions in investment.

Authorities raided Tymoshenko’s Fatherland party offices, with the involvement of the specialized anti-corruption prosecutor’s office (SAPO) and NABU, as part of the investigation into alleged vote-buying schemes.

Tymoshenko has denied the accusations on social media, calling the raids a political stunt and pledging to prove the allegations in court.

The story is contextualized within Tymoshenko’s long political arc, including her roles as a former prime minister and ongoing influence in Ukrainian politics.

Separately, ongoing Russian strikes continue to damage civilian infrastructure and cause casualties, with authorities reporting damage to logistics hubs and utility outages in major Ukrainian cities.

Historical context notes Tymoshenko’s earlier conviction over a gas deal with Russia, subsequent release, and her continued stance on anti-corruption and relations with current leadership.

Ukraine’s parliament approved the reassignment of the SBU domestic intelligence chief amid debates over leadership and security operations, reflecting broader political tensions.

Authorities released a photo showing Tymoshenko with money on a table and a video of an allegedly intercepted call proposing a system to pay MPs to influence votes.