SSU General Smashes Evidence During NABU Search
Detectives documented the destruction of two phones and a hard drive while Alpha unit officers arrived to shield the official from arrest.
By Andrew Yang ·
Oleksandr Abakumov, head of a detective unit at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, detailed a chaotic standoff where a senior Security Service general threatened investigators with a handgun.
The confrontation occurred on November 4 outside Kyiv in the village of Roslavychi, Kyiv Oblast. Abakumov stated that NABU officers arrived at the home of Serhii Duka, First Deputy Head of the SSU's Department for the Protection of National Statehood, to execute a court warrant. The operation was part of Operation Carthage, which targets a criminal network involving high-ranking law enforcement figures.
Abakumov reported that NABU's Special Operations Department provided security for the search. As one officer attempted to climb a fence to open the gate, unidentified individuals inside aimed laser-sighted weapons at him. Two armed SSU officers with assault rifles positioned themselves at the windows, while Duka appeared at a first-floor window holding a handgun.
Abakumov used a loudspeaker to identify the team as law enforcement and displayed their identification and court order. He urged Duka not to create a dangerous situation by pointing weapons at other agencies. Abakumov said there was no response to the initial calls.
Duka then ran onto the balcony and used a hammer to destroy evidence. According to Abakumov, the general completely smashed two phones and wrecked a hard drive. Three vans carrying armed officers from the SSU's Alpha special forces unit subsequently arrived at the scene. Abakumov described their behavior as aggressive. NABU believes the Alpha unit officers were assessing positions to free Duka by force.
A shootout was avoided only after lengthy negotiations and the arrival of Duka's lawyers. Duka was detained that afternoon. During the operation, detectives documented the transfer of four cryptocurrency wallets containing approximately US$3 million to Duka. Investigators allege Duka agreed to secure the release of funds belonging to the Russian Khimprom drug trafficking cartel in exchange for these assets.
The criminal organization was organized by Andrii Osipov, a man with multiple previous convictions. The group recruited senior officials from the SSU, the Prosecutor General's Office, and the National Police. They allowed scam call centers to operate freely alongside drug trafficking, counterfeit cigarette manufacture, and counterfeit currency production. Members were also involved in assaults and abductions.
Five members of the group have been served with notices of suspicion. Duka has been charged under Article 255.3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for participation in a criminal organization. SSU Head Oleksandr Poklad dismissed the officers who became subjects of the investigation that evening. Searches were also conducted at premises belonging to Anton Kravchuk, Head of the SSU's Main Department of Internal Security.
