KYIV: After announcing the dismissal of his top two law enforcement officers on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky caused the most significant shakeup in the administration since Russia began its murderous invasion in February.

The domestic crisis erupted on Monday as the European Union prepared to consider increasing sanctions against Russia and as Kyiv accused Moscow of carrying out new strikes on a number of residential areas in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Following Moscow's announcement that it would intensify its military activities, Ukraine accused Russia of putting missile launchers at the biggest nuclear reactor in Europe.

Zelensky announced that he was dismissing security chief Ivan Bakanov and prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova due to the numerous incidents of suspected treachery by Ukrainian law enforcement officers.

In a speech to the nation, Zelensky stated that investigators are looking into over 650 cases of suspected treason and aiding and abetting by Ukrainian security officials, including 60 cases of officials who, in his words, have remained in Russian-occupied territory and are "working against our state."

The linkages made between Ukrainian law enforcement personnel and Russian special services, along with the sheer volume of crimes against the foundations of national security, Zelensky added, "raise very severe questions to the relevant leaders."

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