Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has dismissed two senior officials as an investigation into an alleged criminal network involving law enforcement personnel widened, exposing further concerns over corruption within state institutions.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) announced that they had uncovered an organisation involving at least a dozen people during an investigation known as "Operation Carthage".
According to the agencies, the suspected ringleader, who had several previous convictions, recruited officials from the SBU, National Police and Prosecutor General's Office, alongside individuals from the criminal underworld.
Investigators allege that the network used its connections within law enforcement to protect illegal businesses, including fraudulent call centres targeting Ukrainian and foreign citizens, drug trafficking, and the production of counterfeit cigarettes and foreign currency.
SAPO also accused members of the group of carrying out attacks, abductions and assaults on behalf of the organisation.
Security Service pledges cooperation with investigators
The SBU announced later on Wednesday that its chief, Oleksandr Poklad, had dismissed two high-ranking officials and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
"The Security Service expects a transparent, objective, and impartial investigation," Poklad said, adding that he had discussed the case with the heads of NABU and SAPO.
He also said the agency was coordinating with intelligence services in partner countries to ensure the investigation could extend to other jurisdictions.
The National Police said officers implicated in the proceedings had been temporarily suspended from duty. It urged the public to avoid drawing premature conclusions before the investigation was completed.
Probe follows earlier dismissal of prosecutor general
The investigation has already triggered major changes within Ukraine's law enforcement system.
In September, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko was dismissed amid the same probe. Anti-corruption investigators had previously alleged that a criminal organisation was led by a department head within the Prosecutor General's Office.
Members of the suspected network are accused of accepting bribes from fraudulent call centres in exchange for allowing them to operate without interference.
The investigation comes as Ukraine continues its efforts to join the European Union. Tackling corruption remains a key requirement for its accession process, which formally entered negotiations in June 2024.
