The SBU said that Mendel is suspected under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — treason committed under martial law, as well as under Parts 2 and 3 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code — justification, recognition as lawful, and denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and glorification of its participants.
According to the investigation, she is engaged in “information and subversive activity against Ukraine” and uses her notoriety and experience in the field of government communications to spread “information narratives favorable to the aggressor state, aimed at discrediting Ukraine and weakening its international support”.
The Office of the Prosecutor General emphasizes that the materials on the basis of which the suspicion was filed included Mendel’s public statements in the media and on social networks. In particular, the investigation refers to an interview with American conservative commentator and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in May 2026.
In that interview, according to the investigation, Mendel said that Ukraine was “on the verge of disappearing”, that its nation was “degenerating”, and also claimed that there is no freedom of speech in Ukraine and that the country is full of bans.
In addition, the SBU stated that on her Facebook page she spread messages about the benefit to the Ukrainian authorities from continuing the war, propaganda, and the persecution of dissenters. The security service also said that Mendel is outside Ukraine and that comprehensive measures are ongoing to hold her accountable.
Yulia Mendel worked as press secretary to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from June 3, 2019, to July 9, 2021. Before that, she was a journalist on Ukrainian television channels and collaborated with major foreign publications.
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