الن anticorruption agencies in Ukraine uncover a Russia-linked network operating under the cover of law enforcement
Ukraine’s National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said they had uncovered a Russia-linked criminal network that allegedly operated with the support of officials from the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police. The operation led to arrests, including that of a senior SBU general, and charges against five suspected members of the network. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the findings shameful and unacceptable, while anti-corruption chief Daria Kalenyuk warned of possible attempts to undermine the independence of anti-corruption bodies and called for law-enforcement reforms.
أبرز النقاط
- On 4 November, Ukraine’s NACP and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office announced the exposure of a Russia-linked criminal network allegedly supported by SBU and National Police officials.
- Investigators said the network used law-enforcement cover to facilitate fraud call centres, drug sales, illicit cigarette production and counterfeit foreign currency.
- NACP officers arrested SBU General Serhii Duka, the first deputy head of the Security Service’s national state protection department, on 4 November.
- NACP and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office announced charges against five suspected members of the network on 5 November.
- The operation also resulted in the arrest of senior National Police officials Volodymyr Tsenov and Oleksandr Demianchuk and boxing club founder Oleksandr Rybalko.
- On 6 November, NACP said SBU special forces pointed weapons at investigators during a search at Duka’s premises, where he attempted to destroy two phones and a hard drive with a hammer.
- Zelensky said the SBU findings were deeply unpleasant, shameful and absolutely unacceptable, announced dismissals and said additional personnel decisions were being prepared.
- Daria Kalenyuk called for the reform of unreformed law-enforcement bodies and the independent, merit-based selection of the prosecutor general and National Police chief.
لماذا يهمّ ذلك
The allegations place alleged links between organized crime and senior officials at the heart of Ukraine’s law-enforcement and security system. The arrest of an SBU general and senior police officials raises questions about institutional accountability, while the reported intimidation of investigators highlights the risks facing anti-corruption agencies. Zelensky’s dismissals and Kalenyuk’s calls for transparent leadership selection and broader reform indicate that the case could affect the structure and independence of Ukraine’s security institutions.
ماذا حدث
On 4 November, NACP and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office announced that they had exposed a criminal organization with a Russian connection that allegedly ran a network of fraud call centres with the support of SBU and National Police officials. According to investigators, participants used law-enforcement cover to facilitate fraud, drug sales, illicit cigarette production and counterfeit foreign currency. NACP officers also arrested senior National Police officials Volodymyr Tsenov and Oleksandr Demianchuk, boxing club founder Oleksandr Rybalko and SBU General Serhii Duka. On 5 November, anti-corruption prosecutors announced charges against five suspected members of the organization. NACP later reported that SBU special forces pointed weapons at investigators during a search of Duka’s premises and that Duka tried to destroy two phones and a hard drive with a hammer. Zelensky subsequently announced dismissals in the SBU and said further personnel decisions were being prepared.
كيف تصفه المصادر الأوكرانية
Ukrainian reporting focuses on alleged institutional connections between organized crime and senior officials from the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police and the Prosecutor General’s Office. Coverage also emphasizes Kalenyuk’s warning of possible renewed interference against anti-corruption institutions, reported threats against investigative journalist Denys Bigus and a Mariupol defender, and her calls to reform unreformed law-enforcement agencies. Zelensky’s first public reaction and the reported SBU dismissals are presented as a direct institutional response to the disclosures. Legislative initiatives concerning transparent selection of the prosecutor general, the State Bureau of Investigation chief and the National Police leader are also highlighted.
أين تختلف الروايات
The available reports consistently frame the links between officials and the criminal organization as allegations, investigators’ findings or claims by Daria Kalenyuk. The supplied material does not establish a final judicial finding of guilt for the detained officials.
الخلفية
Operation and case “Karfagen” concerned allegations that a Russia-linked criminal network used connections with law-enforcement and security officials to operate in Ukraine. Investigators said participants used law-enforcement cover for fraud call centres, drug sales, illicit cigarette production and counterfeit foreign currency. The reported connections of Andrii Osypov and the person nicknamed “Мексиканець” were presented as the investigators’ version at the time of reporting. Ukraine’s parliament had registered bills concerning open selection of the prosecutor general and the head of the State Bureau of Investigation, while several initiatives concerning the National Police were also under discussion.