Authorities launch new criminal cases, raid home of a onetime billionaire backer of Ukrainian leader

im 715520?width=860&height=574

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is under pressure to take a firm stance against endemic corruption.

Photo: Ukraine Presidential Office/APA Images/ZUMA Press

Ukrainian authorities launched criminal cases against six former defense-ministry officials and raided the home of a former political backer of President Volodymyr Zelensky Wednesday, amid a flurry of attempts by Mr. Zelensky to show Western governments that he is serious about an anticorruption drive.

With billions of dollars in aid flowing into Ukraine monthly, Mr. Zelensky is under pressure from Western backers to take a firm stance against endemic Ukrainian corruption. He also faces calls from ordinary Ukrainians who are fighting and dying in the country’s war with Russia to uproot corruption for good.

Resume Subscription

We are delighted that you’d like to resume your subscription.

You will be charged $ + tax (if applicable) for The Wall Street Journal. You may change your billing preferences at any time in the Customer Center or call Customer Service. You will be notified in advance of any changes in rate or terms. You may cancel your subscription at anytime by calling Customer Service.

Please click confirm to resume now.