SBU Dismisses Senior Officials Following Anti-Graft Probe
Ukraine's security service fires top officers implicated in a major bribery investigation.
1Corruption Network Exposed
Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies, NABU and SAPO, uncovered a criminal network systematically bribing senior law enforcement officials. The scheme provided protection for illegal scam call centers and various illicit businesses. This investigation follows a September probe that implicated high-ranking officials from the Prosecutor General's Office, leading to the resignation of Ruslan Kravchenko.
2SBU Leadership Responds
SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad dismissed two senior officials immediately following the revelations. The security service pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation, emphasizing a commitment to transparency and impartiality. While the SBU did not publicly name the fired officers, the agency confirmed that internal investigative actions are currently underway regarding several criminal proceedings.
3Obstruction During Raids
During a search authorized by the High Anti-Corruption Court, a senior SBU official allegedly obstructed investigators and threatened them with a firearm. NABU special forces were required to intervene at the scene. Reports identify the official as Major General Serhii Duka, who has since been detained by the anti-corruption bureau amid the escalating probe.
4Key Officials Under Scrutiny
Beyond Major General Duka, investigators searched the premises of other high-ranking security personnel. Colonel Anton Kravchenko, head of the SBU's Main Directorate of Internal Security, and Oleksandr Kovalchuk, first deputy head of the Department for the Protection of National Statehood, were also implicated. The National Police is currently assisting NABU while suspending officers involved.
5Historical Institutional Conflict
This crackdown occurs amid a long-running tension between anti-corruption agencies and the SBU. Observers view this friction as part of a broader power struggle involving the President's Office. Last summer, government attempts to curb the independence of anti-graft bodies triggered nationwide protests, highlighting the fragile balance of power within Ukraine's state institutions.
6Past Political Vendettas
In 2025, the SBU arrested several NABU employees, claiming they had links to Russia. Critics labeled these arrests a political vendetta, noting that the targeted detectives were investigating major corruption cases, including those involving Energoatom. Watchdogs suggest that Major General Duka may have overseen these previous operations against the anti-corruption investigators.
7Broader Investigative Context
The current investigation into scam call centers represents a significant expansion of the state's anti-graft efforts. By targeting the protective layer provided by law enforcement, agencies aim to dismantle the infrastructure supporting illegal business operations. The involvement of the National Police and the SBU suggests a deep penetration of criminal influence within state security.
8Future Institutional Stability
The outcome of this case will likely determine the future autonomy of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies. Continued pressure from the SBU, coupled with the detention of high-ranking officials, indicates a volatile period for national security governance. Observers are now monitoring whether these dismissals lead to structural reforms or further institutional instability within the government.
Original article: The Kyiv Independent — SBU Dismisses Senior Officials Following Anti-Graft Probe