Security Service raids relatives of NABU detective investigating high-profile cases in Ukraine

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) reported on October 20, 2025 that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted searches at the homes of relatives of a NABU detective who  investigated several high-profile cases in the country.

“NABU continues to fulfill its duties in accordance with the law, ensuring the inevitability of responsibility for corruption crimes regardless of the positions and influence of the defendants,” the bureau stated.

The SBU confirmed conducting searches at the homes of a NABU official’s relatives and assured that the investigative actions comply with the law.

“The SBU, under the procedural guidance of the Office of the Prosecutor General, is conducting searches within one of the previously opened criminal proceedings regarding illicit enrichment and the legalization (money laundering) of property obtained by criminal means,” the SBU press service told Ukrainska Pravda. 

“Investigative actions are underway at the homes of a number of individuals, including relatives of a NABU official,” the statement continued. “All measures are taking place in strict compliance with the legislation of Ukraine.”

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By way of background, the employees of the SBU and the Office of the Prosecutor General conducted a series of searches on NABU employees on July 21, 2025. According to the SBU, a total of 49 searches took place, with 25 involving 16 NABU officers.

Lawyer for NABU detective Ruslan Mahamedrasulov and board member of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, Olena Shcherban, sees the attacks on NABU, SAP, and anti-corruption activists as a coordinated and planned action by Ukrainian authorities. In the joint podcast of the ZMINA Human Rights Center and Radio Kyiv FM “Mayemo Pravo”і said that criminal cases by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) involving NABU detectives, where urgent searches were conducted days after they were deemed necessary, suggesting a deliberate timing to create a media narrative about “Russian influence” within NABU and to discredit the institution before the law limiting the powers of NABU and SAPO was passed. 

Shcherban assessed that the SSU may have shifted its tactics, finding it easier to target specific individuals than institutions, as international bodies are less likely to intervene on behalf of individuals. According to her, this may cause a chilling effect, as detectives may fear repercussions for investigating high-profile figures.

On the morning of September 25, NABU stated that the SSU was conducting investigative actions against its former detectives, which may signal growing pressure on anti-corruption bodies. The SSU claimed in its commentary that Ukrzaliznytsia officials were being searched as part of a criminal investigation into abuses in the freight transport sector, which are not related to pressure on anti-corruption agencies. Ukrzaliznytsia is the Ukrainian state-run railway operator. Among these ex-detectives is Taras Likunov, the brother of Olena Shcherban. 

“In its official communication, the SBU states that the searches were conducted ‘in a criminal proceeding regarding abuses in the field of freight transportation at Ukrzaliznytsia.’ But this is a total lie. The search warrant for my brother’s apartment does not mention ‘abuses at UZ [Ukrzaliznytsia].’ It states in black and white that the search took place within a criminal proceeding connected to the suspicion of lawmaker Khrystenko. How my brother is connected to this is unclear. The investigator could not explain it during the search either,” Olena Shcherban said.

The SBU published the full text of the search warrant for the rented apartment where Taras Likunov resides. As seen in the warrant text, the request for the search was personally approved by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Ruslan Kravchenko.

Previously, three independent sources of the Babel news outlet reported that the SBU is investigating the possible involvement of Oleksandr Klymenko in a case where Member of Parliament Fedor Khrystenko is providing testimony. Khrystenko is suspected of treason and was recently returned to Ukraine from Dubai.

Daria Kaleniuk, Executive Director of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre, stated that the current actions of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the SBU are aimed at discrediting the entire anti-corruption system and retaliating against specific individuals due to ongoing investigations. She cited probes including: the suspicion against SBU agent Artem Shylo in embezzlement at Ukrzaliznytsia; the check of assets belonging to SBU General Illia Vitiuk; and investigations concerning individuals close to the president — Oleksiy Chernyshov and Timur Mindich.