As the central bank number two, Pysaruk worked with then-Governor Valeria Gontareva to close almost 100 insolvent banks.

As the central bank number two, Pysaruk worked with then-Governor Valeria Gontareva to close almost 100 insolvent banks. Today, Gontareva lives in self-exile in London, complaining of death threats and refusing to return to Ukraine. “Terror is intensifying,” she said of Pysaruk’s detention. “He and I were cleaning all these Augean stables.” The central bank has rallied behind Pysaruk. Yakiv Smoliy, the current bank governor, cut short an overseas trip and flew home. The bank’s top leadership went to court on Tuesday and offered to cover bail for the three former officials. Pysaruk’s bail was set at $1.25 million. The central bank said in a statement: “He stood at the source of the banking-sector reform, thanks to which we have healthy, transparent and reliable banks now.”