Top Ukrainian Cyber Defense Officials Fired During Corruption Investigation
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
6:37 PM – Monday, November 20, 2023
On Monday, Ukrainian prosecutors declared that they would be investigating allegations of fraud and theft within the government’s cyber security agency. Shortly after, two top cyber defense officials were fired, according to a government official who spoke to reporters.
Leading cabinet member Taras Melnychuk announced on Telegram that the chief of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP), Yurii Shchyhol, and his deputy, Viktor Zhora, were both dismissed from their government positions.
Melnychuk, the cabinet’s delegate to parliament, did not disclose the reasons behind the terminations. The SSSCIP is responsible for protecting the state from cyberattacks and safeguarding government communications.
Less than an hour later, anti-corruption prosecutors revealed that they were investigating the head and deputy head of the SSSCIP for their alleged involvement in a scheme to steal 62 million UAH ($1.72 million) between 2020 and 2022. This news broke to the press when the firings were announced.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine stated that authorities believe the officials purchased software at an inflated price from two businesses allegedly under their control, in a closed bid that excluded outside bidders.
However, the SSSCIP claimed in a Telegram post that all agency purchases had been conducted properly and that they were cooperating with investigators.
As Ukraine strives for membership in the European Union (EU), combating corruption has become a crucial priority before serious discussions can begin.
An unnamed billionaire who previously supported President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the former chairman of Ukraine’s Supreme Court have also recently come under investigation. However, both individuals have denied any wrongdoing. The billionaire’s identity has not been disclosed to the press.
Shchyhol stated in a Reuters article in September that “Russian spies are employing hackers to target law enforcement organizations’ computer systems” in order to gather information related to suspected war crimes committed by Russia.
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Who were the top cyber defense officials that were dismissed, and why?
Ukraine Investigates Allegations of Fraud and Theft in Cyber Security Agency
On Monday, Ukrainian prosecutors announced that they would be investigating allegations of fraud and theft within the government’s cyber security agency. This news comes shortly after the dismissal of two top cyber defense officials, according to a government official who spoke to reporters.
Taras Melnychuk, a leading cabinet member and delegate to parliament, announced on Telegram that Yurii Shchyhol, the chief of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP), and his deputy, Viktor Zhora, were both dismissed from their positions. Melnychuk did not disclose the reasons behind their terminations. The SSSCIP is responsible for protecting the state from cyber attacks and safeguarding government communications.
Less than an hour later, anti-corruption prosecutors revealed that they were investigating Shchyhol and Zhora for their alleged involvement in a scheme to steal 62 million UAH ($1.72 million) between 2020 and 2022. This revelation was made public when the firings were announced.
According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, authorities believe that the officials purchased software at an inflated price from two businesses allegedly under their control, in a closed bid that excluded outside bidders.
The SSSCIP, however, claimed in a Telegram post that all agency purchases had been conducted properly and that they were cooperating with investigators.
This investigation comes at a crucial time for Ukraine as it strives for membership in the European Union (EU). Combating corruption has become a top priority before serious discussions about EU membership can begin.
In addition to the cyber security agency investigation, an unnamed billionaire who previously supported President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the former chairman of Ukraine’s Supreme Court have also come under investigation recently. Both individuals have denied any wrongdoing.
Shchyhol, in a previous interview with Reuters in September, stated that “Russian spies are employing hackers to target law enforcement organizations’ computer systems” in order to gather information related to suspected war crimes committed by Russia.
As more details emerge from the investigation, it will be crucial for Ukraine to address these allegations and take appropriate action to maintain transparency and combat corruption.
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