State security secret: The SBU has refused to say whether it is investigating Verbytsky over his contacts with the aggressor
The Security Service of Ukraine refused to provide information on whether former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi had contacted them regarding the “proposals from the aggressor country” that he publicly announced in May 2026.
In response to an official inquiry from the online media outlet UA.NEWS, the Security Service stated that the requested information is classified, but assured that they thoroughly investigate any information regarding activities harmful to national security.
The SBU press service informed UA.NEWS of this, citing restrictions on access to data during martial law.
The security service’s position: information is restricted by law
The Security Service emphasized that access to information regarding activities in the field of state security is strictly regulated by law, and the disclosure of data on investigations concerning specific individuals could harm national interests.
“In particular, it is prohibited to disclose information collected by state security agencies, as well as information about the methods of the security service’s work and regarding whether or not relevant measures have been taken against a particular individual prior to a decision being made based on their results. Any information regarding potential activities detrimental to the security of our state and citizens is thoroughly investigated by the special service, and if grounds exist, the response measures provided for by law are taken,” the SBU’s response states.
In light of this, citing the Law of Ukraine “On Counterintelligence Activities” and Article 22 of the Law “On Access to Public Information,” the agency stated that the information requested by journalists “is not subject to disclosure.”
Why UA.NEWS contacted the SBU
As a reminder, the reason for the journalists’ inquiry was a publication dated May 8, 2026, in which former high-ranking official of the Office of the Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytsky publicly stated that he had “received offers from the aggressor country.”
Given that Verbytsky had access to materials of special state significance prior to his dismissal and oversaw high-profile criminal proceedings, the UA.NEWS editorial team asked the SBU for answers to the following questions:
- Did the former prosecutor officially report his contacts with the enemy?
- Is the security service investigating possible compromise of the criminal cases he handled?
- Has a criminal investigation been opened based on his statements (in particular, regarding his possible failure to report contacts with representatives of the Russian Federation)?
Verbytsky’s publication itself did not mention whether he had informed counterintelligence about the Russians’ “proposals.” Failure to report such facts by individuals with access to state secrets may constitute abuse of authority or treason.
Background to the Scandal
Dmytro Verbytsky lost his position as Deputy Prosecutor General in the summer of 2024 amid a high-profile corruption scandal. Investigative journalists from the “Schemes” program discovered that the official and his girlfriend were using luxury real estate (a property in the “Konik” residential complex and an apartment in Turkey), premium-class cars, and a beauty salon, the cost of which significantly exceeded their official incomes. The National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NACP) subsequently found evidence of illegal enrichment amounting to millions of hryvnias in Verbytskyi’s actions.
Earlier, schemes linked to the scandalously dismissed Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi and his associates were exposed in Odesa. The schemes involve former Deputy Mayor Dmytro Zheman, the owners of Baltic Auto Shipping Ukraine LLC, State Environmental Inspection official Tetiana Zaitseva, as well as luxury villas, cottages in gated communities, brand-new vehicles, and multi-million-dollar deals. Details are available in the UA.News investigation.
Read the full chronology of scandals related to Dmytro Verbytskyi in the article.
