Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) uncovered an alleged criminal organization involving at least 12 people, including serving senior officials from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), the Prosecutor General’s Office and the National Police. NABU and SAP announced Thursday that five alleged members had been formally notified of suspicion, including senior SBU and police officials whose names were not disclosed. Investigators said the group provided protection to fraudulent call centers targeting Ukrainians and foreigners, as well as operations involving illegal drug sales and the production of counterfeit cigarettes and foreign currency. The organization allegedly used corrupt connections within law enforcement to shield its activities and was involved in planned attacks, kidnappings and assaults.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Carthage, also prompted scrutiny of senior SBU officials. Citing law enforcement sources, Slidstvo.Info reported that two senior SBU officials whose properties were searched as part of the operation had not been detained or dismissed and remained in their positions. The outlet noted that one of the officials had previously appeared in a separate criminal investigation involving the alleged organizer of the network, although his involvement in Operation Carthage has not been established.
Source: OCCRP · 2026-11-05