81 Suspects, 20 SBU Officials, and Russian Agents: Ukraine’s Security Service Reports on Its Internal Purge

Ukraine’s Security Service Releases Report on Corruption and Terrorism

According to Главком: The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has disclosed findings from its Main Internal Security Directorate for 2026, revealing that 81 individuals have been formally notified of suspicion. Among them, 20 are SBU officials. Several Russian agents have been detained, and numerous corruption schemes and document forgery operations have been uncovered. Those implicated face charges under multiple articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, including high treason and terrorism.

In March 2026, two deputy heads of regional SBU directorates were arrested for extorting money from the head of a monopoly company in the amber industry. In February, two Russian agents were detained in Kyiv after detonating a homemade bomb near an SBU facility, targeting a van. The attack was carried out by a recruited Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier who had deserted his post in the Sumy region, along with an accomplice from the capital.

Corruption Schemes and Government Response

In the Kyiv region, authorities dismantled a network producing and selling fake law enforcement IDs. The operation was orchestrated by a former Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman, who enlisted 18 accomplices. The counterfeit documents were sold for between $3,000 and $5,000 each. Additionally, three SBU employees were exposed for illegal activities in the Vinnytsia, Volyn, and Lviv regions. Those convicted face up to 15 years in prison with asset confiscation.

In response to these events, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered a purge of the SBU, targeting individuals whose loyalty does not align with Ukraine’s interests. He stressed that security agencies must operate for and in service of Ukraine. As part of this crackdown, detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine caught the head of the investigative department at the SBU office in Poltava region, along with a subordinate and a lawyer, accepting illicit benefits.

The criminal charges filed against the suspects include the following articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code:

• Article 111 (high treason)
• Part 1 of Article 114-1 (obstruction of lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a special period)
• Part 2 of Article 146 (unlawful imprisonment or kidnapping by prior conspiracy of a group of persons)
• Part 4 of Article 187 (robbery)
• Part 4 of Article 190 (fraud)
• Part 2 of Article 199 (sale of counterfeit currency)
• Part 2 of Article 258 (terrorist act committed by prior conspiracy of a group of persons)
• Article 332 (illegal transport of persons across the state border of Ukraine)
• Part 3 of Article 368 (acceptance of an offer, promise, or receipt of undue benefit by an official)
• Part 1 of Article 369 (offer or provision of undue benefit to an official)
• Article 369-2 (abuse of influence)

These developments highlight serious issues within the SBU’s structure, particularly corruption among senior officials. The measures taken reflect the government’s commitment to reforming security agencies and countering threats from foreign agents and internal misconduct. Purging the SBU of corrupt elements is a critical component of Ukraine’s broader efforts amid the ongoing armed conflict and the need to safeguard national security.

These recent developments in the SBU's internal operations highlight a broader trend of infiltration and corruption within Ukrainian security forces. A related case involves a Ukrainian border guard officer who was uncovered as a Russian agent, actively directing strikes against northern regions of Ukraine. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the country in combating external threats and internal betrayal. For more details, see how this officer's actions fit into the larger context of security vulnerabilities in Ukraine's defenses here.