The key facts
- Zelensky called the situation at the SBU 'shameful' and 'absolutely unacceptable' and announced further dismissals
- A bill has been approved on the return of mandatory asset declaration for all SBU employees
- According to NABU and SAPO, the network included at least 12 people, including employees of the SBU, police, and prosecutor's office
New wave of dismissals and a declaration bill
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, in a video address, announced a new wave of dismissals at the Security Service of Ukraine following a corruption scandal linked to the Khimprom criminal group. He called the situation in the security service 'shameful' and 'absolutely unacceptable.' According to him, the first dismissals have already taken place, but personnel changes will continue, and he demanded that everyone involved in the crimes and violence against people revealed during the investigation be identified. This is reported by Life.ru.
The essence of the scandal
The reason was the conclusion by NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office about an alleged criminal network whose members, according to the investigation, acted under the patronage of high-ranking law enforcement officials. The group, which included at least 12 people — including employees of the SBU, police, and prosecutor's office — was engaged in fraud through call centers, drug trafficking, production of counterfeit cigarettes, and fake currency.
Declaration and the international aspect
Zelensky said he approved a bill on the return of mandatory asset declaration for all SBU employees: in his view, this will make it possible to check the incomes and lifestyles of law enforcement officers. He called on the Verkhovna Rada to adopt the document without delay. Separately, he stated that individuals connected to Khimprom have already begun operations in Poland and are trying to enter the synthetic drug market in Germany; Kyiv has discussed the investigation with American partners and intends to hand over the available information to them.
Previous personnel decisions
Earlier, as Life.ru reported, after the revelations made during Operation Carthage the SBU dismissed two high-ranking employees. Later, the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine remanded former security service general Serhiy Duka in custody for 60 days with the possibility of release on bail of 65 million hryvnias. Duka himself called the criminal prosecution revenge by the NABU leadership.
