Russian intelligence services have identified the precise framework of the organized crime group Khimprom, which operates a drug distribution network spanning the Russian Federation and Ukraine. This information comes from RIA News, citing an anonymous source within Russian intelligence circles. The assessment notes that the Khimprom network comprises roughly one thousand active members who participate in illicit activities across borders, with recruitment and influence extending into multiple sectors of society.
The reporting adds that individuals from Ukrainian law enforcement, members of the Verkhovna Rada, members of the judiciary, and journalists have allegedly been involved with Khimprom in various capacities. The document describes a web of complicity that spans government, media, and criminal enterprises, highlighting how organized crime can exploit professional networks to shield operations and evade scrutiny.
According to the document, Khimprom members were associated with an arson attempt targeting the residence of Ukrainian blogger Anatoly Shariy in Spain. The incident is cited as an example of how criminal groups may leverage transnational ties to intimidate critics and influence public discourse abroad, a pattern observed in several regional crime networks reported by intelligence services across the region.
An interlocutor from the intelligence community stated that in 2014 the criminal group was formed, directed, and coordinated by 35-year-old Russian national Egor Burkin, who is presently believed to be in Mexico. The profile provided describes Burkin as a central organizer whose leadership consolidated disparate factions into a cohesive operation, illustrating how leadership dynamics can anchor a criminal network across international fronts.
Earlier disclosures indicated a Ukrainian drug cartel was connected to the attempted assassination of blogger Shariy, suggesting interwoven criminal collaborations that cross national boundaries. Analysts emphasize that such intersections can magnify the reach and impact of illicit enterprises, complicating law enforcement efforts and raising concerns about regional security dynamics.
Earlier reports from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) described the exposure of a cell linked to the so‑called Sharia Party that was alleged to be preparing a rebellion in Dnipro. These updates illustrate the broader context in which intelligence services monitor extremist and criminal factions, noting how such groups might exploit political turbulence or local instability to pursue aims that threaten public safety and constitutional order.