After high-profile detentions at the SBU amid Operation "Carthage", Zelensky announced new decisions

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced new personnel decisions in the Security Service of Ukraine amid the outcry surrounding Operation "Carthage". He also approved a bill on reinstating mandatory asset declarations for all SBU employees. The head of state made the announcement in an address on November 7.

According to Zelensky, the SBU's "Alpha" unit achieves the greatest number of hits on Russian occupiers. At the same time, he described the recent events surrounding the service as "downright unpleasant", "shameful", and "absolutely unacceptable".

The president reported that dismissals have already taken place at the SBU, but there will also be new personnel decisions. He stressed that the investigation must establish the full picture of events, and that all instigators of crimes and violence against people must be held accountable.

Separately, the president mentioned the need for international support in investigating the activities of the group "Khimprom". According to him, this issue has already been discussed with the United States. Zelensky also stated that the Ukrainian side has information about the possible activities of a figure in the group in Poland and attempts to access the German market with synthetic drugs. Ukraine plans to pass this information on to partners.

There are plans to reinstate asset declarations for all SBU employees

Zelensky also approved a bill that provides for the reinstatement of asset declarations for all employees of the Security Service of Ukraine.

According to the president, this should make the property status and lifestyle of the service's employees accessible for verification and accountability.

Thus, at present it is a matter of the president approving the bill and calling on the Verkhovna Rada to adopt it. For the document to take effect, it must go through the parliamentary procedure.

What is known about Operation "Carthage"

On November 4, the NABU and SAP reported the exposure of a criminal organization whose participants, according to investigators, systematically provided improper benefits to senior officials of law enforcement bodies in exchange for unhindered operation of fraudulent call centers and other illegal businesses.

According to the investigation, officials of the SBU, the Office of the Prosecutor General, the National Police, and representatives of the criminal underworld were involved in the organization. Its participants are also charged with involvement in drug sales, production of counterfeit cigarettes and forged foreign currency, as well as organizing assaults and kidnappings.

NABU and SAP served notices of suspicion to five participants of the organization. Among those detained is the first deputy head of the SBU's Department for Protection of National Statehood Serhiy Duka. On November 6, the High Anti-Corruption Court remanded him in custody with the option of posting bail of UAH 65 million.

Following the start of the investigation, SBU head Oleksandr Poklad dismissed two senior officials of the service who became figures in the case.