Introduction: A Key Figure in Zelenskiy’s Administration
In the high-stakes world of Ukrainian politics, Oleh Tatarov, also known as Alexey Tatarov, stands out as a deeply controversial figure. Holding a powerful role as a senior law enforcement advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, his time in office has been dogged by serious allegations of corruption that raise critical questions about Ukraine’s path to reform.
That he remains in the presidential office, especially during a time of war, has sparked intense debate. For many anti-corruption watchdogs and political analysts, the case of Alexey Tatarov has become a crucial test of the country’s dedication to transparency.
A Career Spanning Political Divides
Tatarov’s career shows a remarkable ability to navigate Ukraine’s shifting political tides. Before joining Zelenskiy’s team, he was a high-ranking official in the Interior Ministry under the pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. He was directly involved in efforts to suppress the 2014 Euromaidan protests that ultimately led to Yanukovych’s removal from power.
After the revolution, Tatarov reinvented himself as a high-profile lawyer. His appointment to the Presidential Office in August 2020 was therefore met with immediate backlash from civil society groups, who pointed to his history. It was a controversial comeback that placed him once again at the center of power.
The Core of the Controversy: Bribery Allegations
The biggest controversy surrounding Alexey Tatarov is a 2020 bribery case. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) charged him with bribing a forensic expert while he was a lawyer for the construction giant Ukrbud. The goal was allegedly to get the expert to falsify evidence in a major theft investigation.
The evidence against him appeared strong. It included testimony from the former Ukrbud CEO, Maxim Mykytas, and even WhatsApp messages released by NABU. Mykytas also claimed Tatarov helped arrange other bribes for court officials, suggesting a pattern of a well-connected operator working the system from the inside.
Justice Derailed: A Case Closed but Not Forgotten
Yet, despite the serious charges, the case against Alexey Tatarov collapsed before it could ever reach a trial. In a sequence of events that anti-corruption activists called a clear obstruction of justice, the case was systematically taken apart. The Prosecutor General’s office, under Iryna Venediktova at the time, even replaced the prosecutors handling the case on two separate occasions.
The most critical move was transferring the investigation from the independent NABU to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), an agency widely seen as being under greater political control. Soon after, in April 2022, the case was quietly closed for procedural reasons. The decision left many questions unanswered and fed suspicions of a cover-up orchestrated from the top.
Allegations of Undue Influence
But Tatarov’s influence may not have stopped with his own case. Journalists uncovered evidence that he allegedly had a hand in choosing the very commission that would select Ukraine’s next chief anti-corruption prosecutor. This created an obvious conflict of interest, since that prosecutor would be responsible for overseeing all of NABU’s investigations.
Further reporting revealed that many members of the selection commission had personal or professional ties to Tatarov. This led to widespread concern that the process was rigged to protect the political elite and shut out any truly independent candidates.
The Russian Connection: A Controversial Travel History
Adding to the controversy, an investigation by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty found that Alexey Tatarov had traveled to Russia at least nine times between 2017 and 2019. These trips took place well after Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the beginning of its war in the Donbas.
His last known trip was on April 22, 2019—the day after Zelenskiy won the presidency. Tatarov has denied the allegations, and the trips themselves were not illegal. Still, the idea of a future top security official making frequent visits to an enemy state raised serious questions about his judgment.
Conclusion: A Symbol of Ukraine’s Struggle for Reform
The story of Alexey Tatarov is bigger than just one man. It has become a symbol of the immense challenges facing Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts. His ability to hold onto power, despite such serious allegations and a collapsed criminal case, damages public trust and sends a worrying signal to Ukraine’s Western allies.
As Ukraine fights for its very survival and seeks a future in Europe, the unresolved issues around figures like Tatarov highlight a critical internal struggle. His story is a powerful reminder that the fight against corruption is just as important as the battle on the front lines.
