Ukrainian anti-korruption agency: Five suspects in operation Carthago

Hvorfor det er vigtigt

The operation alleges corruption ties among organized crime and senior officials of the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police and the Office of the Prosecutor General. It also raises questions about cooperation and information-sharing between Ukraine’s security and anti-corruption agencies after armed resistance during the search of Duka’s home. The investigation has already led to detentions, suspensions, dismissals and the resignation and dismissal of the prosecutor general.

Hvad der skete

NABU and SAP said they had uncovered a criminal organization that systematically provided improper benefits to senior law-enforcement officials in exchange for enabling fraudulent call centers and other illegal businesses. The alleged activities included drug trafficking, counterfeit cigarette and currency production, assaults, abductions and physical abuse in the organization’s interests.

On November 4, detectives searched the homes of senior SBU and police officials and detained SBU General Serhii Duka in Roslychy, Kyiv region. During the search, Duka reportedly threatened detectives with a pistol and destroyed two phones and one hard disk. Unknown people aimed a laser-sighted weapon at a NABU operative and threatened to fire, while armed SBU personnel and three minibuses carrying members of the Alpha special unit arrived. No shooting occurred after prolonged negotiations and the arrival of Duka’s lawyers.

On November 5, NABU and SAP announced that five participants had been notified of suspicion. The investigation alleges that Duka received four cryptocurrency wallets worth about $3 million to use his influence through the Office of the Prosecutor General to lift a freeze on Khimprom funds. SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad dismissed two senior officials, and the National Police suspended officers who became subjects of procedural actions. On November 5, the Court of Appeal of Ukraine placed Tsenov under house arrest with the option of a 15 million hryvnia bail and Rybalko under house arrest without a specified form of bail.

Sådan beskriver ukrainske kilder det

Ukrainian reporting focuses on the institutional consequences within the SBU, National Police and Office of the Prosecutor General, including arrests, suspensions, dismissals and the departure of the prosecutor general. The case is presented as evidence of possible systemic links between organized crime and serving senior officials, while investigators suggest that more suspects may emerge.

Hvor dækningen adskiller sig

Most reports state that Khimprom leader Yegor Burkin discussed bribing former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko but had no direct contact with him. One early headline initially presented Klymenko as the direct target, although it later clarified that the suspects did not communicate with him.

Baggrund

Operation Carthage was first announced in September as exposing a group that allegedly collected bribes from fraudulent call centers and laundered the proceeds. Investigators also said a separate group led by Serhii Kropyva was created in mid-2025 and included serving prosecutors and unofficial associates. The broader investigation alleges that law-enforcement and prosecution officials received improper benefits in exchange for enabling illegal activity. Following the detention of Office of the Prosecutor General employees, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko resigned and was dismissed on September 15.