Former SBU Anti-Terror Center Chief Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Treason

Justice for a Traitor

According to Главком: A former head of the SBU's Anti-Terrorist Center, Dmytro Koziura, has been found guilty of high treason committed under martial law. On June 25, 2026, he received a life sentence without parole. Koziura, a colonel and career SBU officer, held security clearances for state secrets and was responsible for coordinating counterterrorism operations.

Recruitment and Activities

Koziura was recruited in March 2018 in Vienna by Russian FSB operatives. In exchange for financial compensation, he agreed to collect and pass defense-related information, including classified state secrets, to Russian intelligence. From that point on, he maintained constant contact with his Russian handlers, using intermediaries to avoid detection.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko stated,

“Anyone who wore Ukrainian epaulets and started working for the FSB becomes an enemy of Ukraine. For such people, only the harshest punishment is appropriate.”

Koziura's active espionage intensified during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Between 2024 and 2025, he systematically relayed information about the aftermath of missile strikes in Kyiv, as well as the locations of SBU units, military bases, and official documents. He handed over classified materials marked 'secret' concerning critical infrastructure, including the gas transportation system, and shared plans to bolster air defenses at these sites.

Koziura was exposed in February 2025. On February 12 of that year, the SBU announced the unmasking of an FSB agent, with SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk personally overseeing the arrest. The operation that led to his capture was codenamed 'Rat.' In spring 2026, Koziura expressed a desire to be exchanged to Russia. His accomplice, Maksym Sytienkov, has also been charged with high treason.

This case underscores the severe threats Ukraine faces under martial law and the critical need to root out traitors within state institutions. As the conflict with Russia continues, such incidents risk undermining national security and public trust, prompting Ukrainian law enforcement to intensify efforts against internal dangers.

The recent sentencing of Dmytro Koziura highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Ukrainian security forces in combating internal threats. In a related case, the SBU and DBR have also taken significant action against former officials involved in corruption, such as allegations of embezzlement totaling millions. These developments underscore the critical need for accountability and integrity within state institutions, especially during times of conflict.