Zelensky says more SBU personnel decisions coming after senior officials dismissed over criminal gang involvement

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on November 7 that additional personnel decisions will be made within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) following the dismissal of senior officials linked to a criminal gang. He described the recent revelations surrounding the SBU as "disturbing, truly disgraceful, absolutely unacceptable."

On November 5, Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies charged five individuals associated with a criminal group involved in scam call centers, drug trafficking, and foreign currency counterfeiting. Suspects within the law enforcement and SBU were implicated by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). The criminal organization, known as Khimprom, has already initiated operations in Poland and intends to sell synthetic drugs in Germany.

Zelensky emphasized the need for international support, particularly from the United States, to address the situation. The alleged leaders of the criminal networks were identified as Andrii Osipov and Yehor Burkin, with Burkin being the founder of the transnational drug ring. NABU released recordings of the suspects discussing violent actions against Ukrainian journalist Denys Bihus, a reporter who had been investigating the illegal activities of the criminal groups.

In September, another high-profile case led to the resignation of then-Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, who subsequently fled the country.