Ukraine’s SBU exposes Russian spy network inside its own ranks 20 officers among 81 suspects in 2026 probe

In 2026, the Main Directorate of Internal Security of Ukraine’s State Security Service (SBU) placed 81 individuals under suspicion, including 20 SBU officials implicated in unlawful activities.

According to a statement on the agency’s Telegram channel, those detained include “Russian agents-terrorists, ‘moles’ spying for the enemy, as well as participants in fraudulent and illegal schemes.” The department said it is placing particular emphasis on combating corruption within the service.

“Self-cleansing of the SBU and other units of the Defence Forces is one of my top priorities. The success of our comrades on the front line and the maintenance of internal security depend on this, and therefore, the resilience of all Ukraine. We will continue to uncompromisingly eradicate Russian agents, traitors, and corrupt officials from all structures of the Defence Forces and the Security Service in particular,” acting SBU head Yevhenii Khmara said.

The SBU reported that in March, it detained two deputy heads of regional SBU offices who extorted money from the head of a company monopolising the amber industry.

In February, two Russian agents were detained in Kyiv “in hot pursuit” after detonating an improvised explosive device near an SBU facility. According to case materials, the attack was carried out by a Ukrainian serviceman who had deserted his unit in the Sumy region and an accomplice from the capital.

Additionally, in the Kyiv region, authorities dismantled a scheme involving the mass production and sale of fake identification documents for Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, including the SBU. The operation was organised by a former Ukrainian serviceman with 18 accomplices, producing forged documents for between $3,000 and $5,000.

Internal security units also exposed three SBU employees in Vinnytsia, Volyn, and Lviv regions, involved in illegal activities.

All suspects have been formally charged in connection with the alleged crimes and face up to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property, the SBU said.

By Jeyhun Aghazada