Corruption, Dismissals, and Asset Declarations: Will "Carthage" Mark the Beginning of Reforms at the SBU?

The NABU and SAPO operation “Carthage” drew attention to possible corrupt ties between law enforcement officials and criminal groups.

According to investigators, certain employees of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the National Police, and the Prosecutor General’s Office may have received money to cover up illegal businesses, warn about raids, and leak classified information. Among those implicated in the case is SBU Major General Serhiy Duka.

The investigation revealed not only alleged ties between security officials and the drug trade and fraudulent call centers, but also a possible Russian connection. At the same time, the case has reignited the debate over accountability for corruption during wartime and the need to reform law enforcement agencies – in particular, the SBU, which firmly holds the informal and shameful reputation of being Ukraine’s “chief racketeer.”

Against the backdrop of these allegations and the first personnel decisions, the question arises as to how deeply criminal structures may have infiltrated law enforcement agencies (or whether the opposite was actually the case), whether “Carthage” will serve as a catalyst for systemic change, and how the case against the high-ranking SBU official will conclude – read more in this report from 24 Channel.

What is known about corruption ties within Operation “Carthage”

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have exposed an organization that, according to the investigation, facilitated illegal business operations and had ties to law enforcement officials. Its activities included fraudulent call centers, drug trafficking, underground gambling establishments, and the production of counterfeit foreign currency.

One of the cases involves the "Khimprom" drug cartel, which likely operated at least 52 fraudulent call centers. Representatives of the SBU, the National Police, and the prosecutor’s office may have received money for covering up illegal activities, warning about raids, and helping to return seized property. According to investigators’ estimates, $263,000 was transferred to the police and the prosecutor’s office starting in early 2026.

Serhiy Duka, Major General of the SBU – the now-former first deputy head of the Security Service’s Department for the Protection of National Statehood – is one of the individuals implicated in the case.

Serhiy Duka during a hearing at the High Anti-Corruption Court in Kyiv / Photo: Suspilne News / Oleksiy Arunyan

In NABU’s recordings, he allegedly (we write “allegedly” because a person has the right to the presumption of innocence until a court verdict is issued – 24 Channel) appears under the nickname “Akim.” According to investigators, Mr. Duka may have protected a criminal organization from other SBU employees, received a share of the drug ring’s profits, and passed on classified information.

Investigators are also looking into a possible Russian connection in the activities of “Khimprom.” Its organizer is said to be Russian citizen Yegor Burkin, nicknamed “The Mexican,” who, law enforcement officials suspect, may have collaborated with the FSB.

At the same time, it is important to distinguish between these cases. The “Khimprom” case involves a different network than the investigation into the cover-up of fraudulent call centers, which involved former Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko and an employee of the Prosecutor General’s Office Serhiy Kropiva.

NABU and the SAPO refer to the new investigation as a continuation of Operation “Carthage,” though a direct link to the previous case has not yet been established.

Punishment for corruption during wartime must be the most severe

Andriy Tkachuk, an officer in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and political analyst, commenting on the high-profile and shocking investigation, emphasizes the need for strict accountability for those who use their positions to enrich themselves during a full-scale war.

Some people are stealing enormous sums of money just to buy themselves a crocodile, while others continue to fight even against the backdrop of this absurd news. “We just want them (the corrupt officials – 24 Channel) to be held accountable for all their crimes and punished, while we go about our business,” Tkachuk stated.

He also warned against attempts to evade punishment through mobilization or by dragging out court proceedings – military service cannot be a way to avoid responsibility.

“All of this is happening during the war. I believe the minimum sentence should be life in prison. You can’t ‘weasel your way out’ through the courts or by joining the military. This must be the strictest area of accountability,” the Ukrainian Armed Forces officer emphasized.

Reforms are needed not only for the SBU but also for other law enforcement agencies

Former SBU employee Ivan Stupak believes that piecemeal changes are no longer enough. In a comment to 24 Channel, he explained that once the war ends, there needs to be a comprehensive review of the work not only of his former colleagues at the SBU, but also of the National Police and the State Bureau of Investigations.

According to him, the legislation governing the work of law enforcement agencies has been amended repeatedly, but this has not resolved the fundamental problems. Now a more extensive overhaul is needed, first and foremost a clear division of powers among agencies.

Stupak cited the fight against call centers as an example. At one time, the police, the prosecutor’s office, and the tax service tried to counter them, but to no avail.

“Everyone fought against them, but no one could defeat them because everyone was leading the process,”” noted the former SBU employee.

The Return of Asset Declarations and the Dismissal of Officials: How the Government Responded

After the case gained publicity, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that legislative changes were being prepared to reinstate mandatory Declaration for all SBU employees. This will allow for the verification of the assets and lifestyles of special service employees.

“I have approved a bill to reinstate asset declarations for all SBU employees so that their lifestyles and all their assets are subject to scrutiny and accountability. Just as in other agencies – and, by the way, not just law enforcement agencies,”– Zelenskyy stated.

He also reported on the first dismissals within the SBU and announced further personnel decisions. The head of the security service, Oleksandr Poklad, fired two high-ranking officials following searches conducted as part of Operation “Carthage.”

Ivan Stupak supports the reinstatement of asset declarations but proposes implementing them in stages.

I would suggest that, in the first stage, we at least require asset declarations from personnel appointed by presidential decree. That is, those appointed by presidential decree are public figures. These include the heads of regional offices and the leadership of the central administration. Everyone appointed by presidential decree must be prepared to disclose their asset declarations and show the public what they own and how they live– Stupak explained.

Serhiy Duka denies the allegations and claims retaliation by NABU

SBU General Serhiy Duka currently denies the allegations and calls the criminal prosecution an act of retaliation by anti-corruption agencies.

In an open letter from the detention center, published by his attorney Yuriy Sukhov, the former official stated that his actions should be judged based on the evidence.

Just a week ago, I was leading covert operations against the enemy, and today I am in a detention center cell. I am not asking you to take my word for it. I demand that my actions be judged based on evidence, not on sensational videos, sensational headlines, or conversations taken out of context,” reads the letter from the defendant, Duka.

General Duka also questioned the authenticity of the NABU audio and video recordings and raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest. According to him, the motion regarding the selection of a preventive measure against him was prepared by Detective Roman Nedov, whom Duka himself had previously searched.

Operation “Carthage” / Video by NABU and SAPO

The former official proposed holding an open discussion with the participation of the heads of anti-corruption agencies.

“I propose organizing an open public discussion where NABU Director Semen Kryvonos and SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko will sit across from me and try to have a frank conversation based on the facts,”– Duka noted.

This is the defense’s position, which neither refutes nor confirms the investigation’s version of events.

On November 6, the High Anti-Corruption Court remanded Duka in custody for 60 days with the option of posting bail in the amount of 65 million hryvnias. Later, 44 million hryvnias was posted as bail for him. According to SAPO prosecutor Mykola Karas, the funds came from 1,113 contributors. Allegedly, this money was collected through a crowdfunding-like effort among SBU employees.