Former Ukrainian Prosecutor Receives Pension Despite Living Abroad, Sparks Controversy
A former Ukrainian prosecutor, Dmytro Kazak, continues to receive a substantial pension of approximately 156,692 UAH per month, despite residing in Sweden and having left his position in Ukraine. This case has ignited debate over the fairness and sustainability of pension benefits for Ukrainian officials, particularly those who have left the country.
Kazak, who headed the Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office from 2022 to January 2024, secured his pension through a court ruling in 2023, based on his disability status. He initially registered as disabled at age 29, a status that allows prosecutors to receive a larger pension with only 10 years of service. Following a scandal involving numerous prosecutors obtaining disability status, the Prosecutor General’s Office ordered re-examinations. However, Kazak resigned before this order could be applied to him.
Court Ruling and Restrictions
In 2025, Ukraine introduced pension restrictions for individuals receiving benefits exceeding ten times the minimum subsistence level, including those who had not participated in combat operations. Kazak challenged this restriction in court and successfully overturned it. In 2026, the government again attempted to impose restrictions on “special” pensions, but Kazak again challenged the decision.
On March 23, 2026, the Kharkiv District Administrative Court ruled in Kazak’s favor, ordering the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) not to apply the limiting coefficients to his pension. The court determined that reducing payments required a specific law passed by the Verkhovna Rada, rather than adjustments through the state budget law. Judge Oleksiy Kotenov cited a previous ruling by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine supporting this interpretation.
Legislative Efforts and Concerns
A bill aimed at curtailing special pension rights for prosecutors is currently under consideration in the Verkhovna Rada, proposed by MP Halyna Tretyakova. The bill passed its first reading but has stalled since then. Tretyakova has pointed to examples like Estonia, which has reformed its pension system to eliminate certain privileges.
Despite widespread media coverage of Kazak’s pension, he continues to pursue legal action to protect his benefits. Critics argue that his substantial pension, exceeding his actual salary during his time in office, is unsustainable and unfair to other Ukrainian pensioners who receive significantly lower benefits.
As of March 26, 2026, Kazak continues to receive 156,692 UAH monthly from the PFU while living in Sweden with his family.
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