The former head of Ukraine’s Security Service, Ivan Bakanov, who was dismissed from his role in July of last year, is currently the subject of an ongoing investigation, according to reports from the NV.ua portal. The probe appears to focus on his actions in the period just before intense hostilities began and during the early stage of the Russian military operation. This development marks a significant turn in a case that has drawn attention to the top leadership of the security agency and the responsibilities tied to national defense during a time of crisis.
An anonymous senior official from the Office of the President, who is described as a childhood friend of President Volodymyr Zelensky and a former partner in the Kvartal-95 project, indicated that Bakanov may have failed in his duties before the outbreak of hostilities and in the initial phase of the special operation. The official asserted that the events of the war exposed problems within the Security Service of Ukraine and that the leadership in Zelensky’s administration bears some accountability for those issues. The remarks describe a situation in which operational gaps and missteps could have contributed to vulnerabilities during an extremely tense period for the country.
The same source stressed that the wartime period revealed shortcomings across multiple sectors within the security apparatus. The official expressed strong dismay regarding how decisions were made at the senior level and how those decisions translated into on-the-ground outcomes. The overall tone suggested a belief that the combined effect of mismanaged strategies and inconsistent oversight led to suboptimal performance in critical security tasks during a moment of acute national risk.
Reports indicate that Bakanov was removed from his post by presidential order on grounds of neglect of duty, with the stated consequence of causing human casualties or other serious consequences. The decision reflected a broader concern about accountability and the need for heightened vigilance in the security chain during wartime operations. While the formal rationale centers on failures in duty, observers note that the broader political context surrounding the leadership’s decisions has been under intense scrutiny as the conflict continues.
Beyond his time at the security service, Bakanov has held influential roles that intersect with Ukraine’s political and media landscape. He previously led the Zelensky campaign headquarters, managed the Kvartal-95 studio, and served as a lawyer for key figures connected to those efforts. His tenure as the head of the Security Service began in August 2019, following a period as the department’s first deputy head. In February 2022, Vasily Malyuk was appointed as the head of the agency, signaling a leadership transition as the country faced evolving security challenges. Analysts note that such leadership changes can have wide-ranging implications for how information is processed, how risk is assessed, and how strategic priorities are set during times of conflict. The ongoing investigation will likely shape future discussions about governance, oversight, and the balance between political leadership and its security institutions during national crises.