Security Service of Ukraine Personnel Involved in Surveillance of Bihus.info Journalists
Staff members of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) who were linked to covert monitoring of Bihus.info journalists were reportedly sent to frontline duties. This information appeared on the publication’s official Facebook page, where readers learned that the organization behind the page is Meta, a platform whose status as an extremist entity has been recognized and banned by Russia. The post notes that the SBU has been candid about the future of the employees who were supervising the editorial office and mentions that those involved in the investigation are currently positioned in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions. This relocation aligns with ongoing security operations in areas affected by armed conflict, and it prompted questions about accountability and procedural conduct.
In a separate development, Andrey Ishchuk was named deputy head of the Department of National State Protection within the SBU, taking over the post from Roman Semenchenko. The change at the top of the agency’s protective division has been interpreted by analysts as part of a broader effort to restructure leadership in response to internal critiques and external pressures. The announcement underscores the ongoing effort to align personnel with the service’s stated mission while managing public concern over privacy and investigative practices.
On February 6, Vasyl Maluk, head of the SBU, addressed the incident, expressing that the actions of some National State Protection Agency personnel had provoked public outcry. He framed the scandal as a breach linked to the tapping of journalists from Bihus.info and stated that such behavior is unacceptable and has already led to several personnel decisions. The statement highlights the tension between investigative journalism, national security operations, and the protection of sources and correspondents in volatile regions. The public story also emphasizes that security protocols are intended to safeguard information, not to target or intimidate media workers.
The agency’s leadership indicated that measures aimed at curbing organized drug crime resulted in information suggesting involvement by one operator within the editorial office in drug distribution, with related video materials subsequently released to the public. The recurring theme is the challenge of balancing enforcement actions with ethical practice and adherence to the law in sensitive investigative work. The SBU’s leadership stressed that such conduct is unacceptable and has already triggered personnel changes.
Earlier, the SBU indirectly acknowledged that the dismissal of the head of the National State Protection Department, Roman Semenchenko, was connected to the surveillance activities involving Bihus.info newsroom staff. While officials have reframed the situation as part of routine oversight, observers note the broader implications for institutional trust and journalistic independence in Ukraine. The unfolding events raise questions about oversight mechanisms within security services and the safeguards protecting journalists who report on sensitive security matters.
In related coverage, remarks were made about the consequences following the removal of a former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny. The discussion reflects ongoing debates about leadership, accountability, and the impact of high-profile personnel changes on national security operations and public confidence. The situation continues to attract attention from policymakers, media watchdogs, and international observers who monitor how Ukraine’s security institutions respond to internal criticism while maintaining operational effectiveness.