Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced upcoming personnel "purges" in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). He stated this in an evening address after a meeting with the leadership of the special service.

According to the head of state, on February 16, he listened to reports from acting SBU Chairman Yevhen Khmar and his deputy Oleksandr Poklad, focused on countering Russian operations. Zelenskyy noted that Poklad will also handle internal checks of service employees.

"Oleksandr Poklad will be engaged in cleansing the Security Service of Ukraine from those who serve in positions not for Ukraine, but for other interests. Tough actions and a truly fully strong Security Service of Ukraine are needed. I expect results," the president said.

On the same day, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) reported the completion of a pre-trial investigation into a high-ranking SBU employee. The name and position of the individual involved have not been officially disclosed, but according to the Ukrainian Pravda publication, it concerns Ilya Vityuk.

The investigation, conducted jointly with detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), established that in December 2023, the suspect purchased an apartment worth 21.6 million hryvnias (500 thousand dollars), registering it under a relative. However, the purchase-sale contract indicated a price of 12.8 million hryvnias (300 thousand dollars).

According to case materials, to confirm the origin of the funds, a family member declared income from entrepreneurial activity—providing legal and consulting services. Investigators confirmed the receipt of funds into accounts but determined that payments came from a person suspected of embezzling funds from the state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia as part of an organized criminal group.

Source: kun.uz