Two senior Ukrainian police officials have been arrested in a sweeping corruption investigation into an alleged criminal empire involved in drug trafficking, fraudulent call centers, kidnapping and torture, according to Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU).
Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court ordered the detention of Vladimir Tsenov, first deputy head of the National Police's Department of Strategic Investigations, on Thursday. Tsenov, known by the nickname “Price,” was released Friday after 15 million hryvnia, or about $330,000, in bail was paid, court officials said.
A second official, Aleksandr Demyanchuk, nicknamed “Consultant” and serving as deputy head of a criminal investigation division in Kyiv Region, was ordered held without bail until at least January 2, 2027, according to the court ruling. The arrests are part of Operation Carthage, a joint investigation by NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), officials said.
Arrests and Court Decisions
NABU said Tsenov is suspected of shielding fraudulent call centers from police investigations and helping criminals recover equipment seized during raids. Demyanchuk allegedly provided protection for violent criminal activities and helped perpetrators evade law enforcement, according to NABU.
The court set Tsenov's bail at 15 million hryvnia, which was paid within a day, court records showed. One suspect was released on $330,000 bail within a day as Western-backed anti-corruption agencies continued to expose what officials described as a high-level cover-up [1]. Demyanchuk was ordered held without bail until at least January 2, 2027, the court stated.
No public comment from the defendants was reported immediately after the rulings. The court rulings did not indicate whether the defendants entered pleas, according to court records. The National Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment, officials said.
Operation Carthage and Alleged Network
NABU said the criminal network was involved in fraudulent call centers, illegal drug trafficking, counterfeiting of euro banknotes, and kidnappings for ransom. The bribe money came from a wide range of criminal enterprises, according to investigators.
SBU Major General Sergey Duka, known by the nickname “Akim,” was ordered held in custody for 60 days on Friday, with bail set at 65 million hryvnias, around $1.5 million, court officials said. Duka allegedly helped shield the criminal organization from prosecution and provided its members with confidential intelligence and access to security-service facilities, according to NABU. Investigators said senior Ukrainian security officials helped shield the criminal network and were involved in planning attacks and kidnappings [2].
According to NABU, the criminal network enjoyed such extensive protection that its members openly discussed bribing government ministers and even contemplated a disfiguring acid attack against an investigative journalist. Operation Carthage first became public in September, when anti-corruption detectives uncovered an alleged protection racket involving officials from the Prosecutor General's Office, officials said. The probe has already led to the resignation of Ukraine's prosecutor general [3].
Official Statements
NABU stated the network “enjoyed such extensive protection that its members openly discussed bribing government ministers and even contemplated a disfiguring acid attack against an investigative journalist.” SAPO officials said the investigation is ongoing and further arrests are possible.
Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies said on Nov. 4 they had exposed a criminal group accused of “systematically bribing” senior law enforcement officials to secure protection for scam call centers and other illegal businesses [4]. The case had ensnared a former deputy prime minister and energy minister, as well as forcing out the president's former chief of staff [5].
Ukraine's Security Service dismissed two senior officials amid the investigation into an alleged criminal network involving law enforcement personnel accused of shielding illegal business activities [6]. The SBU dismissals followed the anti-graft agencies' announcement of the alleged bribery scheme, according to officials.
Broader Anti-Corruption Context
In July 2025, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky signed legislation placing NABU and SAPO under the authority of the prosecutor general, a presidential appointee, according to officials. The move sparked nationwide protests and criticism from Kyiv's European sponsors, forcing Zelensky to reverse course just over a week later, officials said.
NABU and SAPO were already investigating Operation Midas, an alleged massive kickback and money-laundering scheme involving Zelensky's longtime business associate Timur Mindich and Ukraine's state nuclear operator Energoatom, investigators said. The Midas probe implicated several senior officials and led to the resignation of Zelensky's chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, according to authorities. Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's former chief of staff and top U.S. negotiator, abruptly announced he was heading to the front lines hours after anti-corruption investigators raided his home and office [7].
Earlier this week, investigators announced the completion of the Midas probe, alleging that the criminal organization laundered around $125 million through shell companies, offshore accounts and cryptocurrency transactions. Mindich, who fled to Israel, remains wanted by Ukrainian authorities. Ukrainian anti-corruption services also launched searches under the codename “Operation Forrest Gump,” targeting, among others, the deputy head of the Office of the President [8].
What's Next
Court proceedings for Demyanchuk are scheduled, while Tsenov has been released on bail and Duka is being held for 60 days, according to court rulings. NABU and SAPO continue to investigate the alleged criminal network, and additional arrests have not been ruled out, officials said.
The Midas probe concluded with investigators alleging the laundering of around $125 million, but Mindich remains at large in Israel. Zelensky's government has faced a succession of corruption scandals involving senior officials and close associates, and public trust in Kyiv's leadership has eroded accordingly.
The Carthage case remains under investigation and no final rulings have been issued, according to authorities. As Kyiv's Western sponsors continue to fund the government, the expanding corruption probes have drawn increased scrutiny to the inner circle of the Ukrainian leadership -- and to the Western-backed agencies now exposing it.
References
- Two top Ukrainian cops arrested in major criminal empire probe. https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/279418074/two-top-ukrainian-cops-arrested-in-major-criminal-empire-probe
- Two senior Ukrainian security officers dismissed as anti-graft agency .... https://tvpworld.com/96306457/ukraine-sbu-dismisses-two-officers-after-nabu-uncovers-alleged-criminal-network
- Ukraine SBU Officials Removed in Major Corruption Probe. https://www.kyivpost.com/post/89177
- SBU dismisses senior officials after anti-graft agencies probe possible .... https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-anti-graft-agencies-probe-possible-sbu-role-in-high-profile-case-report-firearm-threats-during-searches/
- Ukraine's anti-graft police target senior officials in major fraud probe. https://www.centraloregondaily.com/news/nation-world/ukraines-anti-graft-police-target-senior-officials-in-major-fraud-probe/article_5b3ca1da-6bdd-59eb-9e22-e9db0f0ed610.html
- Ukraine dismisses 2 senior security officials amid probe into criminal .... https://www.cumhuriyetdaily.com/world/ukraine-dismisses-2-senior-security-officials-amid-probe-into-criminal-2140787
- Zelensky's top aide flees to front lines amid corruption probe - NaturalNews.com, December 03, 2025.
- Ukraine corruption scandal deepens: ‘Operation Forrest Gump’ shocks Zelensky government with more searches. https://rmx.news/article/ukraine-corruption-scandal-deepens-operation-forrest-gump-shocks-zelensky-government-with-more-searches/
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