The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has reported that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is conducting investigative actions concerning former detectives of the bureau who are currently working at “Ukrzaliznytsia.” According to NABU, these investigative actions may be related to the previous activities of the ex-detectives as part of groups that investigated organized criminal groups in state enterprises and government bodies, including within the SBU itself.
This is reported by Kyiv24
NABU’s Position and Reactions
NABU emphasizes that such actions may indicate attempts to exert pressure on the independence of anti-corruption institutions and to strengthen systemic influence over their work. As of September 2025, the SBU has not made any official statements regarding these investigative actions, and “Ukrzaliznytsia” has not provided any comments on the situation.
It is noteworthy that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau has previously stated attempts to influence its independence through the investigations it conducts. In July, the SBU reported on an investigation into the possible influence of Russia on NABU’s operations. Among those involved in this case was the head of one of the bureau’s interregional departments, Ruslan Magamedrasulov. Later, the SBU and the Office of the Prosecutor General reported suspicions of state treason against a current member of parliament from “OPZZH,” Fedor Khristenko, and his detention on September 6. According to the case materials, the suspect established an “effective mechanism of influence on the leadership” of one of Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies. The name of the deputy was not officially disclosed by the SBU and the OGP, and he has not commented on the situation.
Searches and Relations Between Law Enforcement Agencies
According to NABU, on July 21, SBU employees, the State Bureau of Investigations, and the Office of the Prosecutor General conducted about 70 searches concerning bureau employees. Inspections also took place at the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.
NABU Director Semen Kryvonos stated on air that no member of parliament has any influence over him or the bureau’s work. He also emphasized the absence of any “confrontation” between NABU and the SBU, noting that relations with SBU head Vasyl Maliuk remain professional and without hostility.
“We have working relations. We are not at war. All claims that we are acting out of revenge are not true,” said Semen Kryvonos, commenting on the suspicion announced by NABU against former head of the SBU Cybersecurity Department, General Illia Vitiuk.
The Security Service criticized the suspicion against Vitiuk and stated that it is a response from NABU and SAP to the SBU’s detention of several bureau employees at the end of July. According to representatives of the service, the announcement of suspicion against Vitiuk is “revenge by NABU and SAP for the fact that the Security Service of Ukraine effectively counters Russian influence on state bodies and exposed several Bureau employees for committing crimes.”
Additionally, on July 22, the Verkhovna Rada adopted bill No. 12414, which limited the independence of NABU and SAP, causing protests among citizens and concern among Western partners. Subsequently, President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted a new bill to strengthen the powers of NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, which was supported by parliament and signed by the head of state.