During a court hearing on August 5, former Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Stefanishyna, expressed her emotional distress as she announced her return to Ukraine following her diplomatic mission. She emphasized her cooperation with law enforcement and commitment to attending all court proceedings.
Furthermore, Stefanishyna revealed the financial burden she faces in adjusting her family’s living situation and securing legal representation since her return. “With the mythical money that the prosecution claims I possess, I cannot meet the bail requirements without jeopardizing my family’s livelihood,” she stated, responding to the prosecution’s request for a bail amount of 15.3 million UAH.
Her legal team argues that this amount should not exceed 10 million UAH. Following the hearing, reporters noted that Stefanishyna left the courtroom in tears, reaffirming her identity as a mother, politician, and dignified person despite the criminal charges against her.
According to reports, on August 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Stefanishyna from her ambassadorial role. She stated that her resignation was a personal decision. The Financial Times previously suggested that her dismissal might be linked to an investigation regarding a property acquisition in Kyiv at an undervalued price, which she has denied.
On August 5, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office charged her with three counts, including illegal enrichment of 13.9 million UAH and failing to declare assets. Allegations suggest that in 2024, she may have acquired two apartments in a residential complex through a friend, paid nearly $100,000 in cash for their renovation, and failed to declare these properties, while also using a Mercedes vehicle. Her defense refutes these claims, stating that there is no direct evidence. Stefanishyna described the media frenzy surrounding her case as “a storm in a glass of water.” Additionally, she has previously faced suspicion in another case involving the former Minister of Justice, Olena Lukash, accused of embezzling 2.5 million UAH from the state budget.
